Abstract

Boiling range distribution characteristics of coal-derived liquids by simulated gas chromatographic distillation technique

Author(s): Prem S.M.Tripathi, Sadhan K.Chakraborty, Dilip Thakur, R.C.Tripathi

Gas Chromatographic Distillation (GCD) technique, based on ASTM D- 2887 method, has been employed for studying the boiling range distribution characteristics of the kerosene fraction (150-250C) and of upgraded coal-hydogenates. Through this study, the suitability of ASTM D-2887 method as a substitute ofASTMD-286 has been established for the characterization of coal-hydogenates, derived froma bituminous Indian coal, namely, Raniganj coal [Raniganj coalfields, (W.B.) of Eastern Coalfields Ltd,,]. Reported in the present study are the results of characterization of three upgraded coal hydrogenates (150-250C), and also a low-boiling (IBP-180C) primary coal-hydogenate, for which GCD technique has been advantageously exploited. The results thus clearly suggest that theASTMD2887 – based GCD technique is a useful and superior analytical method for the precise characterization of boiling fractions of the kerosene fraction (150- 250C) of upgraded coal-hydogenates and that the analytical data maywell prove useful for the selection of catalyst for the liquefaction of coals and their subsequent upgradation effectively. The GCD analytical data is also useful for the product yield calculations, material balance, and also for understanding the correlation between the physical properties of the products in different boiling range of the coal-derived hydrogenates.