compounds in coals and pure macerals · organic sulfur is a· significant problem in that it often...

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FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT 1 September 1988 through 31 August 1989

Project Title: CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN COALS AND PURE MACERALS

Principle Investigator: John C. Crelling, Professor Department of Geology Southern Illinois University Carbondale, II 62901 (618) 453-3351

Co-Investigator: Edwin J. Hippo, Associate Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes Southern Illinois University Carbondale, II 62901 (618) 536-2396

Co-Investigator: Michael A. Kruge, Assistant Professor Department of Geology Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 (618) 453-3351

Project Monitor: Ken Ho, CRSC

ABSTRACT

Organic sulfur is a· significant problem in that it often accounts for 33 to 50% or more of the sulfur in Illinois coals. Because the organic sulfur is generally not removed in normal coal cleaning methods, it is a major problem in the utilization of Illinois coals. Although a knowledge of the important information for any plan for sulfur removal, little detailed "information is presently available. The primary objective of this study is to determine the distribution of the various forms of organic sulfur in a series of whole macerals, and a selection of their extracts. The basic reason for determining the chemical forms of organic s~lfur in coal is to assist in development of methods for removal of organic sulfur. During this year macerals wer~ separated from IBCSP samples No. 1,2,4, and 6, and fractions from No.1 and 6 were studied for various forms of organic sulfur. The samples were processed using solvent extraction, mild pyrolysis, and mild oxidation procedures and analyzed with GLC-FID/FPD chromatographic and mass spectrographic Techniques. Results indicate that~arious macerals contain different organic compounds, nine of which have been detected to date. Six of these have been tentatively identified and appear to be attached into the coal structure by only a single bond and, therefore, may be easily removed by an. appropriate desulfurization technique.