EFFECT OF IRON ENRICHMENT WITH GIC OR FECL3 ON THE PORE STRUCTURE ANDREACTIVITY OF COKING COAL

The effect of a Lewis acid addition to a coking coal on the porosity a nd reactivity towards steam of the resulting iron enriched coal chars are studied. GIC (FeCl3 graphite intercalation compound) or free FeCl3 are used as iron containing additives. Coal iron enrichment was perfo rmed using either directly FeCl3 in vapour phase, or by mixing of coal and additives in decaline or by common grinding of coal and additives under argon. Iron enriched coals were carbonized at 750 degrees C (he ating rate = 5 degrees C min) and activation made with pure steam at 8 00 degrees C to a burn-off of 50 wt%. The pore structures of coal char s before and after activation were evaluated on the basis of CO2 and C 6H6 sorption at 25 degrees C. A significant development of the micropo rosity is observed in the iron enriched char before activation and its steam reactivity is also increased. After activation, BET surface are a values are increased in presence of iron, and porosity is mainly mic roporous. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.