Effects of Parent Coal Properties on the Pyrolytic Char Chemical Structure: Insights from Micro-Raman Spectroscopy Based on 32 Kinds of Chinese Coals

The chemical structures of pyrolytic chars prepared from 32 kinds of Chinese coals were investigated with micro-Raman spectroscopy in this study. Both first-order and second-order Raman spectra of the chars were curve-fitted and analyzed. The effects of the parent coal properties, including coal rank, volatile, fixed carbon, and ash content, on the pyrolytic char structures were detailed discussed and the correlations between these coal properties and pyrolytic char chemical structures were set up. Multiple-factor analysis was done to propose a comprehensive coal property index that relates well to the pyrolytic char chemical structure. The results indicate that the aromatization degree is the key distinguishable structure of pyrolytic chars prepared from coals with various rank, and the alkyl C−H and aryl C−H structures have no significant difference. The aromatization degree of pyrolytic char decreases with the increase of coal rank, while it increases with the increase of the fixed carbon content in parent coals. The high content of moisture in parent coal can induce condensation of the pyrolytic char, but the inorganic composition probably prevents the condensation of the char. Limited correlations between the coal rank, fixed carbon, moisture and ash content, and the aromatization degree of pyrolytic chars were found. A comprehensive coal property index: (fixed carbon content + moisture content)/(volatile content + ash content) (in air dry basis) combining the coal properties together relates well to the aromatization degree of pyrolytic char and can act as a good indicator for the pyrolytic char chemical structure. This study reveals the effects of the parent coal properties, including coal rank, fixed carbon, moisture, and ash content, on the pyrolytic char chemical structure, and provides a new comprehensive coal property index to predict the pyrolytic char chemical structure.

Comprehensive review on wastewater discharged from the coal-related industries – characteristics and treatment strategies

Wastewaters discharged from various coal-related activities deteriorate fresh water quality and inflict possibilities of groundwater contamination. Their characteristics mostly depend on the parent coal properties, though some of the pollutants are cyanide, thiocyanate, ammonia, phenol, heavy metals and suspended solids. This paper has reviewed the treatment techniques along with the characteristics of all such kinds of wastewater and also identified the challenges and future perspectives. Primarily, demineralization of coal can attenuate and control release of pollutants in wastewaters if implemented successfully. Mine water from non-lignite mines can be purified using simple techniques, for its reutilization. Acidic mine water and leachates can be treated using passive bioreactors with microbial activity, different organic substrates and limestone drains. Additionally bio-electrochemical systems, membranes, macrocapsules, zeolite filters, ores, physical barriers, and aquatic plants can also be used at various stages. Coal washery wastewater can be treated using natural coagulants obtained from plant extracts along with conventional coagulants. Nitrification and denitrification bacteria fixed in reactors along with activated carbon and zero-valent iron can treat coke oven wastewater. Some other sophisticated techniques are vacuum distillation, super critical oxidation, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. Practical use of these methods, wisely in an integrated way, can reduce freshwater consumption.

Pyrolysis Characteristics of Blends from Coal and Polyethylene

Shenfu coal (SFC) was pulverized and modified with planetary ball mill. Maceral separation of the coal was performed by means of density gradient centrifuge in zinc chloride solution. Blends from low density polyethylene (LDPE) and parent coal powder, iron ions loaded coal powder, or floated maceral fractions were prepared in co-rotation twin-screw extruder. Pyrolysis characteristics were investigated based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, apparent activation energies were calculated according to Kissiger and Ozawa methods. It is found that chemical interaction between SFC and LDPE is attributed to their overlapped pyrolysis temperature regions, leading to instant and rapid propagation and termination of macromolecular chains produced in the co-pyrolysis. Iron ions loaded in the coal can facilitate formation of radicals with acceleration in chemical reaction rates. Thermal degradation of LDPE is rate-determining step in co-pyrolysis of the coal and the polyethylene. Maceral fraction floated in 1.25g·cm-3zinc chloride solution is more reactive with polyethylene due to its higher content in aliphatic hydrocarbon and hydrogen, playing a role of excellent hydrogen donor to LDPE in the co-pyrolysis.

Effects of Mineral Transformations on the Reduction of PM2.5 during the Combustion of Coal Blends

Two chinese bituminous coals used in coal-fired power plants are combusted under air conditions in a lab-scale drop tube furnace. The effects of minerals transformation on the formation of PM 2.5 are investigated during the combustion of coal blends. The collected PM were subjected to Computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) and High-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis for determination of chemical species within them. The results show that PM 2.5 emissions are not linearly related to the wt.% of the parent coal or coal blends. Transformations of fine Si-Al mineral grains provided by the minerals in coal XQ into coarse particles (>2.5 μm in diameter) are responsible for the reduction of PM1-2.5 during the combustion of coal blending. The transformed fine Si-Al particles are captured by the coarse Ca-Mg-Al-Si provided by the minerals in coal HT to form larger Ca-Mg-Al-Si particles (>2.5 μm in diameter). Increasing Ca and Mg concentration in coal blends enhances the liquid concentration produced during combustion and hence affects the emissions of PM1 and PM1-2.5.Through adjusting the mineral compositions in coal blends, the reduction of PM1 and PM1-2.5 emissions can be achieved during combustion.