EFFECTS OF FECL3 (INTERCALATED OR NOT IN GRAPHITE) ON THE PYROLYSIS OF COAL OR COAL-TAR PITCH

Addition of iron chloride to coal tar pitch or coal before carbonizati on speeds up mesophase growth and increases the yield of an iron loade d microporous char. After steam activation a mesoporous activated carb on with specific adsorbents properties can be obtained. Iron oxide (ma gnetite) at the internal surface of the carbon plays the role of a bas ic centre for the catalytic oxidation of polluting gas. The present wo rk deals with the effect on the pyrolysis and activation processes of the mode of introduction of FeCl3-either free or intercalated in graph ite (GIC)-in coal tar pitch (CTP), in coking coal itself, or in a mixt ure of coal and CTP. Lewis acid effects on oil, methane, dihydrogen an d carbon monoxide evolution could be correlated with those on mesophas e growth, on char yield and on the properties of the steam activated c hars. The study shows that free FeCl3 loading can be advantageously us ed to prepare cheap adsorbents. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rig hts reserved.