Electrochemical oxidation of coals: Voltammetry and mass spectrometry

The anodic oxidation of sulphuric acid slurries of lignite, bituminous, and anthracite coals; a high-yield extract of coal; and carbon black, has been investigated voltammetrically and with simultaneous m.s. monitoring of evolved gases. The previously reported evolution of carbon dioxide at very low voltages was shown to be chemically released from minerals. The low rank coals and the asphaltite did show considerable electrochemical activity near to 1.0–1.2 V, mainly from the conversion of leached ferrous ion to the ferric form. Further activity near 1.4–1.5 V arose from the oxidation to CO₂ of leached organic matter. For well-washed low rank coals, the coal extract and the anthracite, CO₂ release was only observed at high (>2.8V) anode voltages, with simultaneous release of oxygen. Electrochemical gasification of coal via anodic oxidation of macromolecules at low voltages did not occur.