Separation and structure elucidation of coal molecule fragments. Progress report, February 1, 1976--January 31, 1977. [9 refs

Abstract

To date there have been only a few reports concerning the types and quantities of products present in solvent-refined coal. In these studies a compound-by-compound separation and identification was not possible. In certain biochemical applications, separation problems of a similar nature have been overcome by use of a combined gas chromatograph--mass spectrometer with a high resolution glass capillary column. The initial experiments designed to assess the feasibility of separating and identifying some constituents of solvent-refined coal (SRC) using this GC--MS method are outlined. The solid product and not the recycle oil are being examined. Polymerization, oxidation, and other new product-generating processes occur during these separation procedures. Initially, simple separation procedures have been used that fairly rapidly permitted testing, the glass capillary--gas chromatography--mass spectrometer method. In future work, it is planned to work out the best separation scheme for these materials.