Conversion of caking coal into non-caking coal by treatment with sulphur and sulphur dioxide

The effects on the caking properties of coals of reaction between the coals and S₈ and SO₂, have been studied. Caking coals (Akabira, Shinyubari, Zollverein, Indian Ridge, and Big Ben) lose their caking properties when treated with S₈ above 200 °C. For Shinyubari coal the crucible swelling number decreases from $\text{8}\text{1}\text{2}$ to 2 with treatment temperature of 235°C in which 5% of S is incorporated into the coal. The decaking of coal is attributed to thio-ether cross-linkages. Caking coals also lose completely their caking property when reacted with SO₂ at 170 °C. The decaking action of SO₂ is attributed to oxidation of coal in which ether cross-linkages are formed.