Distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups in some Nigerian coals

Abstract

The results of a study on the distribution of the O-containing functional groups in some Nigerian coals are reported. Four coals of varying rank from four major Nigerian mines were analysed for the concentrations of the total oxygen and the predominant O-containing functional groups (hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl). The total oxygen content was obtained from ultimate analysis by the standard ASTM method while the O-bearing functional groups were determined by wet chemical methods. It was observed in the four coals that oxygen in the form of hydroxyl accounted for the major fraction of the total oxygen, followed by the carbonyl oxygen and lastly the carboxyl oxygen. The concentration of each of the functional groups decreased with decrease in total oxygen content and with increase in carbon content. The total oxygen is, however, distributed differently among the O-containing functional groups in the different coals.