A TG-FTIR study on catalytic pyrolysis of coal

The catalytic effects of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metals on pyrolysis of lignite and bituminous coals were investigated using TG-FTIR. The results indicate that the orders of catalytic effects on the pyrolysis of lignite and bituminous coals are Ni ~ Fe ~ Ca ~ K and Ca ~ Fe > Ni > K, respectively. The maximal increments of conversion for the lignite and the bituminous coal are 10.1% and 6.4% with catalysts loaded. The CH4 yield of the bituminous coal is larger than that of the lignite. The increase in yield of CO2, H2O, CH4, and CO is dependent on the catalysts, which are closely related to the temperature region and coal ranks.