Liquefaction of Yallourn brown coal at low pressures and rapid heating rates

Liquefaction of Yallourn brown coal in solvents at high temperature for short contact times and low pressures has been studied. Very high asphaltene yields are achieved with hydrogen-donating solvents (hydrogenated Ashland pitch A240, hydrogenated anthracene oil, and hydrogenated pyrene). For hydrogenated pyrene, yields of almost 90% were obtained during reaction at 450°C for 10 min or at 510°C for 1 min. The average molecular weight of the asphaltene found was 270, with 40 wt% being accounted for by three-and four-ring polynuclear hydrocarbons. The effect of liquefaction temperature, time, and solvents on the asphaltene yield have been examined to clarify the properties required for the solvent under the present conditions used. The behaviour of the asphaltene during pyrolysis and hydrotreatment has also been studied. Some mechanistic aspects of high-temperature, short contact time liquefaction are discussed with regard to the reactivities of the brown coal and the solvents.