Co-pyrolysis as a method of upgrading some products of coal processing

Abstract

Co-pyrolysis was investigated as a method of upgrading various products resulting from coal processing. Co-pyrolysis of vacuum residue (VR) with coal extraction products as well as with primary tars from flash pyrolysis leads to a considerably enhanced yield of liquid products. It has been established that superheated steam and increased outgassing rate, favour the yield of liquid products. The proportion of the ingredients in the mixture as well as the quality of the VR also have a definite effect. The excess yield of liquid products in co-pyrolysis of coal extraction products was 8–23 wt%, depending on operating conditions and the composition of the mixture. The flash co-pyrolysis of primary tars yielded a 1.5–15.9 wt% surplus of liquid products depending on the mixture composition. Products originating from co-pyrolysis of these raw materials with VR are characterized by relatively high atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio, usually not less than 1.5 and the total abscence of asphaltenes. Generally, co-pyrolysis of VR with various products of coal processing is comparable with hydrogenation in the light of good yields of liquid products.