Model for coal pyrolysis

Pyrolysis of coal occurs in all coal conversion processes and is perhaps the most difficult to model mathematically. A number of models on coal pyrolysis have been proposed during the past several decades. However, very few of these models address the simultaneous changes in product distribution and particle weight loss (or conversion) over a wide range of operating conditions. Such a mathematical model which could take into consideration the effects of residence time, final temperature, heating rate and pressure is needed for design and scale-up of coal pyrolysis and gasification reactors. The purpose of this study is to develop such a mathematical model for simulation of the pyrolysis phenomena of a coal particle. The model to be developed should be general enough to be applicable to other pyrolysis systems such as the pyrolysis of wood.