Effects of coal structure on pulverized coal combustion processes: Quarterly technical progress report No. 13, 1 October 1988--31 December 1988

The general objective of this study is to define and quantify the relationships between coal composition and structure and associated combustion and conversion behavior for three very different domestic coals of interest. To accomplish this objective, two tasks have been identified. The first is to characterize the virgin coal and the processed chars. This will give the necessary information to determine if the char preparation process yields or rates are dependent on coal physical and chemical characteristics. In the past, insufficient information about the char physical and chemical structure has been a hindrance to the determination of their influence on reaction rate. The characterization tests outlined will give a detailed knowledge of the coals and chars. The second task is to measure high temperature reaction rates of the virgin coals and their derived chars, and to interpret results in light of Task 1. Coal samples for the study have been obtained. Methods using the high-temperature reactor or the laboratory's combustor to pyrolyze the coals have been identified. Designs of the high-temperature drop-tube furnace are given for the high-temperature reactivity measurements. Plans are also discussed for the following quarterly period. 14 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.