Release of organonitrogen and organosulfur compounds during hydrotreatment of pocahontas no. 3 coal residue over an activated carbon

The use of activated carbon (AC) as catalyst for the hydro treatment of Pocahontas No. 3 (P3) coal residue has been reported. The residue used was tetrahydrofuran (THF)/CS₂ (volume ratio of 2:1) insoluble fraction from the coal. Carbon materials, such as AC and carbon black, have been found as efficient catalysts for the hydro conversion of various model compounds. The extraction was carried out under a nitrogen atmosphere in a modified Soxhlet extractor and the extraction temperature was controlled at boiling point of THF. The AC can catalyze the dissociation of ONCs and OSCs from P3 coal residue. These compounds can be released from the coal matrix and identified by subsequent fractional extraction and GC/MS analysis. The structural determination of these compounds could be helpful for understanding the existing forms of ONCs and OSCs in coals.