THE REACTIONS OF SELECTED BITUMINOUS COALS WITH CONCENTRATED SULFURIC ACID

Special Research Report SR-29 An analytical procedure is devised for establishing a carbon balance in the coal-sulfuric acid reaction. The nature and distribution of various reaction products including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, water, and water- and sulfuricacid soluble carbonaceous materials is discussed. Reaction possibilities are limited. It is conaili~ed that oxidation is slight at 25°C and 50°C, Sulfur and oxygen are added to peripheral aliphatic groups which are oxidized at 100°C with a resulting loss in sulfur content and evolution of carbon dioxide. At 150°C the peripheral groups are eli.minated with additional loss in sulfur content. The high-temperature-stable sulfur which constituted a small part of the net sulfur added at 25 and 50°C was not positively identified.