Coal pyrolysis characteristics
are closely related to its structure
and composition, and revealing the relationship between them is essential
for deep understanding of the pyrolysis mechanism. Therefore, in this
work, Shendong coal (SDC) was treated by hydrothermal pretreatment
(HTP) to change its structure and composition, and the influence of
the changes on pyrolysis characteristics was investigated. The changes
in physicochemical structure and composition of treated coal samples
were characterized by N2 isothermal adsorption, Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance,
X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission
spectrometry. The pyrolysis experiments of raw and treated coal samples
were carried out in a fluidized bed reactor. Then, the pyrolysis product
distribution, the gas composition, the tar chemical composition and
properties, and the char gasification behaviors were comprehensively
studied. The experimental results showed the effectiveness
of HTP in surface area and pore volume increase, oxygen removal and
transfer, hydrogen radical introduction, and water-soluble inorganic
metal removal for SDC. Correspondingly, the distribution and composition
of pyrolysis products of treated coal samples changed. The pyrolysis
gas quality was improved with more formation of H2 and
CH4. The tar yield and N-hexane insoluble
component increased. More oxygen was enriched in macromolecular tar
instead of gas and char products, enhancing the char gasification
activity. In addition, the structure–activity relationship
between the changes in coal structure and composition and the pyrolysis
characteristics was revealed in this work.