PCS-472
Variations in organic oxygen structures in the Argonne premium coals as a function of
rank
Winans, R.E.; McBeth, R.L.; Melnikov, P.E.; Botto, R.E.
Proceedings, 7th International Conference on Coal Science
1993
II
515-518
The purpose of this study is to identify and quantify the organic oxygen containing
species in the eight Argonne coal samples and to examine their distribution as a function of rank.
It is predicted that most aromatic structures in coals will have an associated oxygen. We
have investigated this possibility using several mass spectrometric approaches and solid
state [sup 13]C NMR. It has been found that the MS and NMR results correlate quite
nicely. As expected, from previous studies, structures related to lignin dominate in the
lower rank coals. However, benzofurans and dibenzofurans make an important
contribution to the overall distribution. Singly, multiple hydroxylated benzene rings are the
major oxygen structures in the low rank coals. In addition, carboxylic acids are quite
abundant. In the bituminous coals, the carboxylic acids are gone and multiple
hydroxylated aromatic compounds become minor contributors to the overall distribution.
More furan-containing aromatics are seen. Overall, it appears that one mechanism of loss
of oxygen upon coalification is the coupling of phenolic species to form a furan structure
with the loss of water. These furans should be stable under these conditions and remain
intact as coalification proceeds. 3 figs., 11 refs., 2 tabs.
1. Upper Freeport,PA (UF)
2. Wyodak-Anderson, WY (WY)
3. Illinois #6 (IL)
4. Pittsburgh #8 (PIT)
5. Pocahontas #3 (POC)
6. Blind Canyon,UT (UT)
7. Lewiston-Stockton, WV (WV)
8. Beulah-Zap, ND (ND)