INVESTIGATION OF FAST-HEATING PYROLYSIS OF SAPROPELITIC COALS BY MASS-SPECTROMETRIC THERMAL-ANALYSIS

The products of the fast-heating pyrolysis of two sapropelitic coals, from Taymalyr and Budagovo, in a helium flow were studied by differential mass-spectrometry (in the mass number range from 2 to 110). Equations describing the kinetics of the process under different conditions were produced. The mass-spectra of the sapropelitic coals are similar to those of switch oil evaporation products, which indicates the similarity of their chemical structures. The results obtained allowed the conclusion that the fundamental chemical structure of sapropelitic coals is a polycyclic hydrocarbon matrix of CH2 and CH groups with joined nalkane chains containing end-capping CH3 and COOH groups. © 1990 Wiley Heyden Ltd, Chichester and Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest.