DISTRIBUTION OF VOLATILE SULFUR-CONTAINING PRODUCTS DURING FIXED-BED PYROLYSIS AND GASIFICATION OF COALS

Three sub-bituminous and two bituminous coals from Western Canada were used to study the evolution of H2S, COS and SO2 during the pyrolysis and gasification processes in a fixed bed reactor. For all types of coals, most of H2S and SO2 were released during the devolatilization stage. COS was formed only during the gasification stage in the presence of CO2. The mineral matter of coal may have played a role during the gasification stage. Some observations made during this latter stage in CO2 and/or steam were interpreted in terms of the equilibrium effects.