The effect of different oxidation pre-treatments on the sulphur distri
bution in Illinois No. 6 coal (IBC-101) was studied using Atmospheric
Pressure-Temperature Programmed Reduction (AP-TPR). Oxidation pre-trea
tments were carried out on demineralized coal with peroxyacetic acid (
PAA) as a function of reaction time. For the longest reaction time the
effect of PAA on the coal was compared to the effect of several other
oxidants. AP-TPR results also show a clear effect of LiAlH4 on the co
al. Not only is pyrite removed, but there is also a decrease in other
sulphur forms. Subsequent PAA oxidation causes an overall decrease of
the AP-TPR signal, signifying the attack on organic as well as inorgan
ic sulphur forms. With other oxidants, under the same conditions, only
minor differences could be found after different treatments. (C) 1997
Elsevier Science Ltd.