Effect of lignite pyrolysis conditions on calcium oxide dispersion and subsequent char reactivity

A demineralized North Dakota lignite was loaded with 2.9 wt% Ca by ion exchange. Chars were prepared by pyrolysis in N₂ at 1275 K and residence times between 0.3 s and 1 h. Major differences were observed in their subsequent reactivities in 0.1 MPa air. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out to obtain information on the state and dispersion of the Ca species on the various chars. The results clearly indicate that CaO is the predominant species responsible for catalysis of lignite char gasification. It is concluded that pyrolysis residence time also has a profound effect on CaO dispersion. Thus, a correlation was established between a fundamental physical property (catalyst dispersion) and the observed gasification behaviour of lignite chars prepared under different pyrolysis conditions.