Gas chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Analysis of the Products Obtained by Microwave-Metal Interaction Pyrolysis of Coal

Abstract

A novel method for the liquefaction of coal has been investigated. It is a microwave assessed thermal cracking of coal in the presence of iron mesh. The iron mesh acts as antenna for the microwaves. This microwave metal interaction generates large quantities of heat which was used for the pyrolysis of coal. The cracking products were condensed outside the microwave using cold traps. The products were characterized by their physical state, chemical tests and GC-MS. The products include H2S containing gases, hydrocarbon gases, aqueous liquids, oil, tar, and char like residue. The dependence of the rate of reaction on the form and shape of the antenna and the relative amount of the products as well as nature of the products is discussed in this paper.