THE ROLE OF CLAY MINERALS AND ALUMINA-TREATED CLAY MINERALS IN HYDROGENATION AND PYROLYSIS OF SOLVENT-REFINED COAL

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Abstract
The hydrogenatlon and pyrolysls behaviour of solvent-refined coal (SRC) and base-free SRC have been investigated in the presence and absence of clay minerals and alumina-modified clay minerals. The yields of chloroform-soluble and insoluble products (coke) and aromaticities of chloroform-insoluble products have been measured to elucidate the mechanisms of these processes. The yield of chloroform-soluble products was greater after pyrolysis under molecular hydrogen than under molecular nitrogen, even though there was no decrease in the aromaticity of the products in either case. Hence hydrogen can assist in the formation of chloroform-soluble products without aryl ring hydrogenation. Higher yields of chloroform-soluble products were obtained with base-free SRC than with SRC but little or no effect of mineral matter was observed. It is suggested that SRC bases play an important and direct role in promoting in situ coking reactions apart from their well-established role in blocking acidic cracking sites.