Characterization of Alaskan coals: evaluation of their liquefaction behavior. Final technical progress report, July 1984-February 1986

Nineteen coals, representing seven of Alaska's coal fields, were liquefied in batch reactors at 425/sup 0/C with tetralin as the donor solvent. The lignite and subbituminous coals from Little Tonzona, Nenana, Beluga and Yukon Flats coal fields were found to readily convert to THF solubles plus gases. Conversions for these coals were greater than 84% (daf basis). The bituminous coal from the Matanuska coal field and the inertinite-rich coals from the Northern Alaska and Chicago Creek coal fields were considerably less reactive; conversion yields from 55 to 82% were attained. A number of correlations were examined between conversion yield and coal characteristics. Evaluation of the distribution of liquefaction products showed that the low rank coals are readily converted into low molecular weight components (oils plus gases) and few asphaltenes and preasphaltenes. The inertinite rich and other less reactive coals produced equal distributions of the three product classes. The coals and hexane-insolubles were analyzed using DRIFT spectroscopy. The spectrum of HZA was found to be similar to that of a guaiacyl-type lignin. Changes in the spectral features as a function of liquefaction severity were examined. Preliminary studies were conducted to enhance an understanding of fluorescent vitrinite, inertinite macerals and the rolemore » of cations during liquefaction. The primary fluorescence exhibited by the ulminite in the HZA coal appears to be attributed to the presence of substituted aromatics. Some of the inertinites in UA-139 were determined to be reactive. The presence of cations was found to enhance the conversion of UCM-11 and CSB-13, presumably by diminishing the tendency for condensation reactions to occur. 34 refs., 21 figs., 9 tabs.« less