Pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis of Louisiana lignite

Pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis kinetics of five samples of Louisiana lignite have been studied in an atmospheric pressure TG system as a function of heating rate and atmosphere. Final pyrolysis temperature was always 800 °C. The total volatile yield (dry basis) was 33.5–43.8wt%. For all lignites the volatile yield in hydrogen was greater than that obtained in nitrogen at similar conditions. However, variation in heating rate produced an opposite result in the two atmospheres with volatile yield increasing with heating rate in nitrogen but decreasing in hydrogen. Results have been analysed using the distributed activation energy pyrolysis model and parameters compared to similar studies using North Dakota and Montana lignites.