Petrography of pyrolysis and pyrolysis-steam retorted residues from the alpha torbanite and the alpha cannel coal

Pyrolysis retorting of the Permian Alpha torbanite and associated cannel coals from the Alpha deposit in Queensland, Australia, are discussed. Pyrolysis induced porosity was studied both on samples treated in a pyrolysis reactor and heating microscope. Retorted samples were further processed in a steam-saturated retort at 880°C for 4 h which induced abundant micro-porosity in the torbanite and cannel coal. Adsorbent carbon appears to be a value-added product for the steam-treated torbanite and coal. The studies of the steam-processed materials from the Alpha torbanite and associated cannel coal reported in this paper indicate that this material may have great potential as a source of adsorbent carbon to be utilized to abate environmental pollution.