Reactivity of young chars via energetic distribution measurements. Quarterly technical progress report, 1 January 1993--31 March 1993

Abstract

In this quarterly technical progress report, we summarize some recent steam reactivity data obtained for two different chars - a Wyodak coal char, and a nonmineral matter-containing resin char. In particular, the following was accomplished during the reporting period: Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) spectra obtained from steam-gasified chars were examined. At least two major CO-liberating features were identified for the resin char samples - one centered ca. 1000{degrees}C and the other ca. 1050{degrees}C. The presence of catalytic mineral matter appears to be related to the appearance of an additional low temperature feature for the Wyodak char. Although the total amount of surface oxygen seems to be a gross indicator of reactivity, analysis of the desorption data assuming two different types of oxygen surface complexes, each exhibiting a single desorption activation energy, shows that the reactivity cannot be explained by the desorption rates of the complexes alone.