Relation between coal properties and acetylene yield in plasma pyrolysis

If coal is injected into hydrogen plasma generated by arc discharge the volatiles are released within a few milliseconds and form acetylene as the main product by reaction with the plasma. Experiments with different coals indicate that the yield of acetylene is determined not only by the amount of volatiles but depends also on their composition. Oxygen compounds in the coal and, in some cases, even the oxygen content of the mineral matter decrease the acetylene yield.