TRANSPORT OF PENETRANTS IN THE MACROMOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF COALS. I. ANOMALOUS TRANSPORT IN UNTREATED AND PYRIDINE-EXTRACTED COALS

Abstract
Dynamic swelling of coals using pyridine vapors was investigated in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of penetrant transport in coal sections and particles. Anomalous (non-Fickian) and Case-II transport were observed in much the same way as witb penetrant transport in glassy polymers. This anomalous transport was a function of ihe crosslinked structure of the organic phase of the coal samples.