SULPHUR TREATMENT OF COAL BY CHEMICAL & ENZYMATIC METHODS

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

Alkali

(NaOH) Raw Coal Acid (HCl)

Alkali Leaching Alkali Leaching

Filtration Recycle
Filtration
Product Coal

CO2 Lime

Alkali Regeneration Acid Regeneration

Recycle

Silica, Alumina Silica , Alumina

And CaCO3 Precipitates Precipitates

1. Alkali Leaching
During alkali leaching process, alkali reacts with the silica, alumina, and clay-bearing
minerals in the coal . The reaction is product converted into hydrated alkali-bearing silicate,
aluminate and aluminosilicate complexes (sodalite).

Given are the possible Reactions

2NaOH + SiO2 Na2SiO3 + H2O

2NaOH + Al2O3 2NaAlO2 + H2O

Following reaction are for the removal of Pyrite and organic Sulphur from Coal

30NaOH + 8FeS2 4Fe2O3 + 14Na2S2O3 + 15H2O

2NaOH + R-S R-SNa2

90% of the minerals are removed with the caustic treatment. The temperature of the reaction is
kept about 200-300°C. The treatment nearly removes all the inorganic Sulphur and removes up
to 37% organic Sulphur.

2. Alkali Regeneration
Alkali Solution can be regenerated by reaction with Lime in presence of carbon dioxide
Reaction:
Na2SiO3+Ca(OH)2→2CaSiO3+2NaOH

3. Acid Leaching
It has most significant on demineralization and desulphurization of coal. The coal treated with
15% concentration of hydrogen peroxide at 25°C in the presence of nitric acid showed that over
76% pyrite Sulfur , 70% sulphate sulfur , 5% organic sulfur and 14% ash reduced by this leaching
process.
Reaction:
FeS2 + 2HNO3 → Fe(NO3)2 + H2S + S
2Fe2 + 6HNO3 → 2Fe(NO3) + 3H2S + S

4. Acid Regeneration
Acid Solution can be regenerated by treating silicic acid(H 2SiO3) produced with gypsum.
Reaction:
Na2SiO3+ H2SO4 → H2SiO3 + Na2SO4
H2SiO3 + CaSO4 → CaSiO3 + H2SO4
Questionnaires
 What is the purpose of using lime in regenerator?
 What is the affect of concentration of NaOH on degree of
desulphurization?
 What type of Raw Coal is Used?
 What are environmental issues?
 What type of catalysts are used?
 Is there any unreacted product?
 What is the efficiency of the process?
CHEMICAL PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT # 1
Ahmad Rehan
(246467)
CHE-11

SUBMITTED TO:
Dr. SALMAN RAZA NAQVI
(SCME)
CHE-211
(CPT)