Organic bituminous coal

Physical Properties. Physical properties of waste as fuels are defined in accordance with the specific materials under consideration. The greatest degree of definition exists for wood and related biofuels. The least degree of definition exists for MSW, related RDF products, and the broad array of ha2ardous wastes. Table 3 compares the physical property data of some representative combustible wastes with the traditional fossil fuel bituminous coal. The soHd organic wastes typically have specific gravities or bulk densities much lower than those associated with coal and lignite. 

In carbon adsorption, contaminants are physically attracted or adsorbed on the surface of the carbon. Adsorption capacities are high for carbon because its porous nature provides a large surface area relative to its volume. Activated carbon is prepared from lignite, bituminous coal, coke, wood, or other organic materials such as coconut shells. 

Adsorption. Adsorption (qv) is an effective means of lowering the concentration of dissolved organics in effluent. Activated carbon is the most widely used and effective adsorbent for dyes (4) and, it has been extensively studied in the waste treatment of the different classes of dyes, ie, acid, direct, basic, reactive, disperse, etc (5—22). Commercial activated carbon can be prepared from lignite and bituminous coal, wood, pulp mill residue, coconut shell, and blood and have a surface area ranging from 500—1400 m /g (23). The feasibiUty of adsorption on carbon for the removal of dissolved organic pollutants has been demonstrated by adsorption isotherms (24) (see Carbon, activated carbon). Several pilot-plant and commercial-scale systems using activated carbon adsorption columns have been developed (25—27). 

Essentially, carbonization entails the heating of organic precursors in the absence of air. In so doing, a solid carbon residue along with gaseous and volatile hydrocarbons is created. Bituminous coals are used to make metallurgical-grade coke while wood and other similar substances make charcoal. The condensed volatile material can be further refined to yield chermcals, pitches, or other useful commodities. 

F. ferro-oxidants is capable of accelerating the oxidation of pyritic (FeSj) deposits at acid pH values. It is usually found in association with Thio-bacillus and was known as Thiobacillus ferroxidans before the distinction between the two organisms was appreciated. It is responsible for pollution problems arising from acid waters in gold and bituminous coal mines such waters are corrosive to pumping machinery and mining installations (see Fig. 2.20). 

FIGURE 15.7 Secondary changes in the total group composition of soluble organic matter as a result of simulated water washing extracts of the Miocene lignite and shale (both of the Bechatow open cast mine, Poland), the Upper Devonian shale (the Holy Cross Mountains, Poland), and the Upper Carboniferous bituminous coal (the Upper Silesia Coal Basin, Poland). 

Table I shows that most of the South African bituminous coal contain high quantities of mineral matter which is often intimately associated with the organic matter of the coal. About half of the resources yield between 30 and 35 per cent ash.

The method should be able to handle the various standards and background samples that are used, such as the modern standard (oxalic acid) and "dead-carbon" (bituminous coal). Organic gases are sometimes submitted for dating, as well as peat, wood, soil, and organic tissue. Carbonates of differing forms make up about half of the samples run. The method should be applicable to these forms of carbon with minimum conversion. The less the sample is handled, the less chance there is of contamination, a major problem in samples of milligram size. 

A screening study was conducted with samples from a Llobregat river WWTP in order to establish a better treatment for the removal of organic pollutants. Given that improvement of water quality is known to be achieved with the implementation of GAC filtration, the behaviour of surfactants (polyethoxylated nonylphenols, bromo-polyethoxylated nonylphenols) has been studied on seven different commercial GACs. These pollutants were efficiently removed using a bituminous coal-based GAC [38]. 

The vendor states that activated carbon systems can be used on liquid, vapor, and solid waste streams contaminated with organic materials. Calgon Chemical Corporation has patented activated carbon technology. The vendor states that they produce more than 40 specialized types and sizes of bituminous coal- and coconut-based activated carbons for over 700 applications. Calgon claims the following advantages for its activated carbon systems ... 

The organic chemical structural types believed to be characteristic of coals can be schematically represented as shown in Figure 1.2 showing probable structural groups and connecting bridges that are present in a typical bituminous coal.8b... 

The range of fusinites studied here is relatively small, being restricted to samples from thick fusain lenses in bituminous coals of Carboniferous age taken from two coal basins in the northern hemisphere. The present data, therefore, do not justify any general statement about the origin of fusinites. It can be stated, however, that the properties noted for the fusinites studied are consistent with the view that they were subjected to some kind of pyrolysis to perhaps 400-600°C. before incorporation in the organic sediment. 

Bituminous coal A sedimentary rock composed of at least 50wt% and 70 v% combustible organic materials that contains more moisture than anthracites, but less than subbituminous coals. 

Coal A sedimentary or metamorphic rock composed of at least 50 wt % and 70 v % combustible organic materials. In most cases, the organic carbon was derived from ancient terrestrial plants. Coals are potentially useful fuels (compare with lignite, subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite). 

Application of mass spectrometry to the identification of methyl esters of the organic acids obtained by the controlled oxidation of bituminous coal... 

Direct Characterization Techniques. The in situ analysis of elemental composition of coals by ion microprobe was first demonstrated by Dutcher t al. (85). Raymond (86) has applied this technique to examine the variation in composition of coal macerals which has been especially effective for looking at sulfur distribution. An example of the organic sulfur distribution for two bituminous coals is shown in Table II which is taken from reference (86). Note that the liptinites contain the... 

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