Desulfurization of High Rank Coal (TKI-Husamlar, Mugla, Turkey) using Humic Acid

Abstract

Oxides of sulfur created when coals are burned have been recognized as a real threat to both the ecosystem and human health with regard to the environmental aspects. Turkish lignites usually contain a high percentage of ash and both organic and inorganic sulfur. The ash and sulfur contents can be reduced using physical-chemical and chemical methods. Desulfurization of a high rank coal (TKI-Husamlar, Mugla, Turkey) with total sulfur of 3.65 % was extracted using humic acid. Effects of reaction time and temperature on the removal of sulfur were investigated using 10 %wt. humic acid. The leaching reaction time was ranged from 15 to 60 minutes with an interval of 15 minutes. It was determined that the highest sulfur removal (57.70 % of total sulfur) with 17.78 % ash removal and 81.15 % coal yield were achieved at 90 °C with 45 minutes of reaction time using 10 %wt. humic acid with −1 mm high rank coal.