Microscopic investigation of agglomeration of coal hydrogenation residues by secondary vitroplast

The agglomeration of coal hydrogenation residues by secondary vitroplast was investigated using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Hydrogenation reactions were performed in a stirred batch autoclave at five temperatures between 375 and 475 °C for 1 h using tetralin as hydrogen donor solvent. Agglomeration was found to depend on the amount of secondary vitroplast present in the slurry and was most effective at 400 °C under the experimental conditions used. Both optical and SEM techniques have been found to be useful for investigation of the agglomeration of residues by secondary vitroplast.