Products distribution of tar from microwave pyrolysis of lignite: a potential pathway of coal to chemicals

Breaking-down of the macromolecular structure of coal provides a potential pathway for generation of organic chemicals. In this study, microwave pyrolysis of an Indonesian lignite was investigated, particularly focusing on products distribution of tar, aiming at possibility of transforming coal into fine organic chemicals. Fe3O4 was used as microwave receptor. GC¿MS was employed to analyze the main components of oils obtained from the microwave pyrolysis of lignite under different conditions. The results showed that the pyrolysis oils were complex mixtures of organic compounds in a variety of chemical groups. Aromatic compounds including phenols and naphthalene increased significantly with pyrolysis time. The tars contained 17.27 % saturated aliphatic species. Aromatic compounds accounted for 45.5%, while polar groups accounted for 25.84%