In Situ FTIR-MS Study─Correlations of Coal Properties with FTIR-Derived Structural Parameters and MS-Evolved Gases

The chemistry involved in the coal-to-coke transformation remains inadequately understood. This hinders the effective formulation of coke blends to achieve targeted coke characteristics. This study presents the development and demonstration of a unique and novel technique for coal characterization under high vacuum conditions. The coal undergoes carbonization from 30 to 600 °C at a heating rate of 5 °C/min, with spectra acquired at regular intervals of 10 °C. The spectra enable in situ assessment of the coal-to-semicoke transformation under realistic reaction conditions. Furthermore, the pellet was prepared utilizing pure coal samples, excluding the incorporation of KBr. This process provides improved understanding and a fundamental understanding of the chemistry underlying coal-to-semicoke transformation while also enhancing the varied applications of different coals for blending and coke production. This study found that coal rank, fluidity, and vitrinite content significantly influenced the structural and chemical changes during the coking process. This analytical technique is applicable to coal blends and coal maceral concentrates, providing deeper insights into the chemistry of the coal-to-metallurgical coke transformation. Future research will examine additional coal samples with varied properties.