Effects of Iron Ores on the Pyrolysis Characteristics of a Low-Rank Bituminous Coal

Abstract

This work investigates the effects of two kinds of iron ore on the pyrolysis characteristics of a low-rank bituminous coal from Hami, China. The pyrolysis and its product distribution were studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fixed bed reactor. A gas chromatograph and a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer were employed to test the properties and composition of the pyrolytic products. Results showed that the pyrolysis temperature of the raw coal ranged mainly from 350 to 650 °C. The weight-loss rate reached a maximum of 6.95%/min at 443 °C. The weight loss was 44.27% at the final pyrolysis temperature of 750 °C. The tar yield of raw coal was 9.51% in the fixed bed reactor at 600 °C. Adding iron ore, which was intended for a lower tar yield and a higher fraction of light tar (boiling point <360 °C), had a catalytic effect on the pyrolysis of raw coal. With separate addition of hematite and specularite, both having a mass of 20% of the raw coal, coal weight loss increased by 3.86% and 5.56%, resp...