CATALYTIC GASIFICATION OF PITTSBURGH COAL CHAR BY POTASSIUM-SULFATE AND FERROUS SULFATE MIXTURES

The main objective of this investigation is to evaluate the catalytic activity of (K-2 SO4 + FeSO4) mixtures in the steam gasification of Pittsburgh coal char and to compare it with that of K2CO3. A catalyst composition corresponding to an atomic K/Fe ratio of 9 gave the highest conversion for the gasification of Pittsburgh coal (PSOC 1451) char with H2O/H-2 and H2O/N-2 mixtures, the conversion being higher than that with K2CO3 in the case of H2O/N-2-gasification. This behavior is attributed to the catalysis of the reduction of K2SO4 by iron. The catalyst composition affects the product composition: CO selectivity in the product gas increases while CH4 selectivity decreases with the potassium content of the catalyst mixture.