C2H2 production from coal

When Ar + H2 mixture was used as the principal arc gas a maximum C2H2 yield of 74% by wt on a C basis was found (Table 12). This is the highest yield of acetylene from coal yet reported. It appears that the penetration and hydrogenation of the coal-carrier gas stream, which was injected axially rather than radially into the plasma stream is a critical factor in the acetylene production. 

Fig. 20. Distribution of H2, CO, C02, CH4 and C2H2 in the products of laser irradiation of coal as a function of volatile matter in coal. (Redrawn from Karn, F. S., Friedel, R. A., Sharkey, Jr., A. G. Carbon 5, 25 (1967), by permission of the publishers, Pergamon Press Ltd.)...

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