Kinetics of coal pyrolysis and devolatilization

The objective of these coordinated experimental and modeling studies is to develop an improved understanding of the kinetics of coal devolatilization which are relevant to suspension firing of powdered coal. These fundamental kinetic studies address several topics related to an improved understanding of pulverized coal combustion and includes both homogeneous and hetergeneous reactions. The principal topics include: (a) the pyrolysis and devolatilization of coal; and (b) the formation of char. Research activities include small-scale experimentation, interpretation of experimental results in terms of mechanistic understanding and the development and validation of kinetic models of fundamental processes. 6 refs., 20 figs., 7 tabs