AN ATTEMPT TO SEPARATE NITROGEN-COMPOUNDS

Coal liquids contain large amounts of nitrogen and oxygen compounds which make the processing of these into fuel uneconomical compared with petroleum. This paper investigates a method of separating the nitrogen compounds as sediments to provide valuable chemicals and clean fuel. Indole contained in coal liquids was photo-oxidized in carbon tetrachloride. The presence of galvinoxyl in the photo-oxidation process affected the formation of sediments in such a way as to suggest a radical reaction process. Whilst increased indole concentration led to increased sediment formation, the percentage yield was lower due to increased solubility of the sediment in highly polar solution. An optimum concentration is therefore indicated.