Coal Liquefaction Batch Autoclave Studies

Abstract

Our results were compared with those from six other participating laboratories for the analysis and coal liquefaction potential of (A) a brown coal from Victoria, (B) a sub-bituminous coal from Queensland, and (C) a high volatile bituminous coal from New South Wales. The analytical results from this laboratory were well within the acceptable range for the three coals. Our results tended to be slightly low for hygroscopic moisture, ash and carbon, and slightly high for hydrogen,indicating incomplete removal of hygroscoic moisture. Conversion yields were in the middle range for the participating laboratories. Although the samples from the Bengalla shaft had been exposed to air for more than one year, conversion yields and analytical data were comparable to the results previously obtained for coal samples from the area. Section III contains details of autoclave system with some comments on product separation and characterisation, the high temperature combustion method for carbon and hydrogen and an elemental analyser for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen analysis of liquid products.