The nature and origin of asphaltenes in processed coals. Annual report

This report presents the results of the first year of a two-year effort aimed at obtaining a fundamental understanding of the chemical nature and structure of solubilized coals and the kinetics and mechanisms by which these liquefaction products are formed from various coals under solvent refinishing (SRC) conditions. Coal liquefaction was studied under somewhat mild reaction conditions and at very low conversions, as well as under conditions typical of SRC pilot plant operations in order to be able to follow the solubilization process more closely. A much more detailed investigation of the skeletal structures and chemical functionality of products was pursued than has previously been performed. (GRA)