Sulfur removal from lignites by low-temperature carbonization

Abstract

The effect of low-temperature carbonization on the sulfur content of two lignites was investigated in the temperature range of 400–800°C. The total sulfur contents of the two lignite samples were high, namely 4.88% in Beypazari lignite and 10.56% in Bolu lignite. In the temperature range studied, the lowest value of total sulfur for the semi-coke of Bolu lignite was 6.60% in the range of 700–800°C, corresponding to a decrease of 62.0% from its original value, and the lowest value for the Beypazari lignite was 3.73% corresponding to a 49.5% decrease from its original value at a carbonization temperature of 740°C. Two lignite samples and the semi-cokes obtained from these at different carbonization temperatures were also analyzed in terms of proximate, ultimate and heating value analysis.