Effect of Microwave Treatment on Structural Changes and Gasification Reactivity of Petroleum Coke

Abstract

The gasification reactivity of petroleum coke, which was treated by microwave at different times, powers, and temperatures, was investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at 1473 K at atmospheric pressure. The results showed that the gasification rate of petroleum coke increased with the increase of conversion and then decreased after reaching its maximum; the conversion corresponding to the maximal gasification rate is about x = 0.1. The gasification rate of petroleum coke increased with the increase of microwave irradiation time and irradiation power, but as the irradiation temperature increased, the gasification rate of petroleum coke first increased and then decreased. Petroleum coke before and after microwave treatment was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR), and the accelerated surface area and porosimetry system (ASAP). The results showed that the crystalline structure of petroleum coke becomes amorphous and the BET surface area and pore volume become larger with increase of microwave irradiation time and irradiation power. As the irradiation temperature increased, the crystalline ordering degree of petroleum coke became weakened and then strengthened and the BET surface area and pore volume increased and then decreased, which agrees with the change in the petroleum coke gasification reaction rate. Results show that microwave treatment is an effective way to change the structure of petroleum coke and promote its gasification reactivity.