Fundamental studies of catalytic gasification

Progress is reported on the role of catalysts during relatively low temperature steam gasification. This quarter, samples of three coals were obtained from IGT. These are the parent coals of the chars which have been used in earlier work. They comprise a subbituminous (Rosebud) and two bituminous coals (Ohio, Pitt {number sign}8 and Kentucky {number sign}13). An analysis of these coals is given. The coals were subjected to steam gasification at 640{degree}C both in the absence of and in the presence of K--Ca--O catalyst. When the catalyst was used, it was impregnated on the coal by an aqueous nitrate solution containing equimolecular amounts of K and Ca. The procedure used and the nitrate decomposition treatment were the same as previously described for chars and graphite. In order to test the necessity of using relatively expensive potassium as a catalyst component, gasification of the Ohio Pitt {number sign}8 coal was undertaken employing a Na--Ca catalyst. A catalyst comprising cesium-calcium was also tested. 10 figs.