Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of coal-derived liquids: Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ring systems and identification of basic nitrogen heterocycles

Abstract

Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine certain polycyclic aromatic ring systems in a flash pyrolysis tar, a hydrogenated flash pyrolysis tar and a coal hydrogenation oil after a simple Chromatographie separation. The method used led to semi-quantitative determination of aromatic ring systems rather than individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The identification of basic nitrogen heterocycles in a coal pyrolysis tar and a coal hydrogenation oil is also reported. The basic fraction from the asphaltene and the oil of the flash pyrolysis tar did not require further separation prior to identification of the various bases.