ELECTROMAGNETIC ENHANCEMENT OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS (Devolatilization of Char and Coal)

Abstract

Char in the microwave energy field may enhance chemical reactions by three different ways as described below: (1) directly react with elements in molecules when contacted, (2) create free radicals when the gas molecules contact char,and (3) provide heat to adjacent solid particles. To understand the interactions between char and microwave energy, we first investigated the microwave energy absorption by char and also by the mixture of char and coal at various apparent bed temperatures and various ratios of coal to char in the mixture. The experimental results clearly demonstrated that pyrolysis products are excellent absorbents of the microwave energy. To enhance the pyrolysis rate of coal with the microwave energy, it was necessary to add char that increased energy absorption rate. Coal/char mixture pyrolysis started immediately when the microwave energy was applied. Also, microwave energy absorption rate increased to 73% of input power. When coal concentration in the coal/char mixture exceeded 50%, energy absorption rate decreased to 54% of input power. Without char, coal was not pyrolyzed with the microwave energy (550 W) applied for 60 minutes.