| The physical and chemical changes in coal resulting from mild oxidation at ambient conditions with NO(,2) were studied. Various liquid phases were used as transport media for the NO(,2). Subsequent to the oxidation, the coal was subjected to a wash with aqueous Na(,2)CO(,3) at ambient conditions. Particular attention was given to the desulfurization of the coal. A mathematical model of the reactions between NO(,2) and coal at temperatures less than 100(DEGREES)C and a pressure of 1 atm was developed from the experimental data. This model included the simultaneous diffusion and reaction of NO(,2) in the solid-coal matrix and considered pore diffusion not to be controlling. The elemental composition and the energy content after processing were extensively examined. The effect of the NO(,2) treatment on the pore structure was established. |
