Effect of carbon deposition on porosity and reactivity of a lignite char

Abstract

Carbon deposition from the cracking of methane into the pores of a lignite char occurs at a significant rate at temperatures between 815 and 855 °C. The maximum amount of carbon deposited is much less than the amount of open pore volume within the char which is potentially available to accommodate carbon. Removal of the inorganic impurities from the char by acid washing significantly reduces the extent of carbon deposition. Carbon deposition reduces surface area and open pore volume of the char and accessibility of methane into the pore structure. Deposition of carbon has a large and lasting adverse effect on the subsequent reactivity of the char to air. This has been attributed both to a decrease in active surface area, and deactivation of catalytic inorganic impurities due to coating with carbon. Deposited carbon is much less reactive to air than the lignite char. Results indicate that in order to maximize subsequent char reactivity to oxidizing gases, carbon deposition from volatiles during the conversion of coal to char should be kept to a minimum.