MILD OXIDATIONS OF COAL FRACTIONS

Experiments were conducted to determine whether mild oxidation of Illinois No. 6 coal at 50 °C might contribute to a liquefaction process and to add to our knowledge of coal structure. Fractions of coal extract, extracted coal, and fractions of solvent-refined coal were used. Many of the oxidations were self-retarding, but refluxing with alcoholic KOH eliminated this retardation and effected considerable breakdown of the coal, even in the absence of oxygen. Oxidations and base treatments of soluble fractions gave more breakdown than extracted coal, a difference attributed to the dissimilarity between branched and network structures. © 1979.