Structural differences in the tars and chars from the pyrolysis of coals of different rank in hydrogen and in nitrogen

Two British coals—Linby high-volatile bituminous and Abernant anthracite — and an Australian brown coal were pyrolysed at 575 °C in hydrogen or nitrogen at 0.1, 5 and 30 MPa in an inclined, single-stage reactor. Hydrogen pressures of ? 5 MPa led to increased yields of tars which were more aromatic than those produced in nitrogen. The high-volatile bituminous coal fused under all conditions, whereas the anthracite and brown coal fused and agglomerated only in hydrogen at 30 MPa.