A novel method for removing quinoline insolubles and ash in coal tar pitch using electrostatic fields

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2012-06, Vol.96, p.314-318
• Main Authors: Cao, Qing, Xie, Xiaolin, Li, Jinpin, Dong, Jinxiang, Jin, Li’e
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ash; Coal tar pitch; Electrostatic field; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Quinoline insolubles; Removal
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2011.12.061

► Electrostatic field has been successfully applied to the removal of QI and ash in coal tar pitch. ► Removal efficiency for QI and ash is 100wt.% and 80.5wt.%, respectively. ► Comparing with centrifugal method for removal of QI and ash, electrostatic field decreases by 88% of energy consumption. ► Equilibrium between desorption and deposition rates can be arrived with EF lasting time of 40min. ► The method proposed here for the removal of QI and ash is a green and effective technology. A technique for the removal of quinoline insolubles (QI) and ash in coal tar pitch (CTP) using a high-voltage electrostatic field (EF) was developed. QI and ash removal were carried out under an electrical field strength of 2.25×105V/m and a temperature of 35°C with oil washing as the solvent. The results showed that QI and ash can be deposited onto cathodes under optimal conditions. CTP obtained via the proposed treatment was QI-free and of low ash content. For comparison, QI removal using the centrifugal method (CM) was also performed. The deposits on the cathode were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. The findings confirmed that the products obtained through EF and CM have very similar features. However, the energy consumption of EF during QI and ash removal was only one-twelfth that of CM. The proposed technique may be easily implemented in the industry scale and the deposits could be conveniently cleared from the cathode.