MICROWAVE AND CONVENTIONAL PYROLYSIS OF A BITUMINOUS COAL

Abstract

A high volatile bituminous coal was pyrolyzed by use of microwave energy and by traditional convective heating. In both cases the pyrolysis was conducted under vacuum to facilitate product recovery. The gas and liquid fractions produced on pyrolysis were analyzed by means of gas chromatography. Processing by microwave energy was not usually successful unless a plasma initiation procedure was employed. This study found the addition of copper wires within the coal mass to be satisfactory for the purpose. Processing by microwave heating resulted in a higher yield of coal tar liquids compared to convective coal heating. The solid char product produced by the microwave process was highly porous and friable, an indication of a suitable feedstock for gasification.