1988•OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information)Requires access
ESCA study of alkali-treated coal surfaces
John P. Baltrus, J. Rodney Diehl, Joseph R. D'Este
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Abstract
The surface interactions of alkali with coal and mineral matter have been studied by ESCA to establish a basis for predicting the relative reactivity of alkali with sulfur during coal beneficiation processes. The speciation of sulfur in several coals doped with various alkali salts was determined and quantified following heating of the samples to 375/degree/C in air or N/sub 2/ and after washing them with water. Organic and pyritic sulfur react with the alkali cation when heated, after which the sulfide or oxidized sulfur product can be washed from the coal. The extent of reaction between the alkali salt and sulfur is governed by the size of the cation and the electronic properties of the anion; larger alkali cations are more reactive, as are anions with stronger nucleophilic properties.