Investigation of Pyrolysis and Mild Oxidation Characteristics of Tar-Rich Coal via Thermogravimetric Experiments

Abstract

Tar-rich coal has the potential to substitute the supply of oil-gas resources, which is abundant in China. The effective conversion of tar-rich coal into oil-gas products can promote coal utilization, reduce resource wastage, alleviate environmental pollution, and benefit carbon neutrality. Nevertheless, less work, if any, has been performed on the pyrolysis and mild oxidation behaviors of tar-rich coal in Northwestern China. The influences of limited oxygen addition and an extremely low heating rate on the micromorphology of the residual semi-coke are yet to be fully understood. Here, an experimental study on the pyrolysis and mild oxidation characteristics of tar-rich coal was conducted by the thermogravimetric analysis method, with further elucidation of the physical–chemical properties of the residual semi-coke. Experimental results show that an increase in the ultimate temperature of pyrolysis leads to a decline in the residue mass, while the mass loss from 500 to 550 °C presents the maximum elevation. Volatile matter is inclined to discharge from a certain direction, and the pores formed in various directions hold different possibilities. The organic components undergo both pyrolysis and slow oxidation with limited oxygen in the heating medium. Compared with an inert atmosphere, the mass loss under conditions of a small amount of O2 is brought forward but prolonged. Compared with a N2 atmosphere, the oxidation reactions of tar-rich coal are weakened in the presence of CO2. A large decrease in the heating rate exerts an unfavorable effect on the production of total volatiles. An extremely low heating rate possibly brings about a change in the mechanism of chemical bond cracking during pyrolysis. More pores can be yielded in tar-rich coal with an increase in the heating rate, and the morphology of the residual semi-coke after pyrolysis is susceptible to the heating rate. The present study offers an improved understanding of the pyrolysis characteristics of tar-rich coal as well as insights into the efficient utilization of tar-rich coal.