Thermal behaviour in air of a bituminous coal with high mineral matter content doped with compounds of alkali and alkaline earth metals

Abstract

A study has been made of the catalytic behaviour of a number of compounds of alkali and alkaline earth metals on the gasification in air, in dynamic conditions, of chars from a bituminous coal with high mineral matter content provided in the mine of Bélmez (Córdoba, Spain). Some catalysts at a low catalyst concentration show a deactivation effect of the gasification reaction. Such an effect, however, takes place for a lesser number of catalysts and to a shorter extent than when the gasification of the same material is effected in steam at higher temperatures. In general, the hydroxides, acetates and carbonates do not show a substantial difference in their catalytic activity; the chlorides seem to be less efficient catalysts. The alkali metals are much more active catalysts than the alkaline earth metals.