The dissolution and swelling of bituminous coal in N-methyl-pyrrolidone

Abstract

Research detailed herein examined the extraction and swelling of a bituminous coal in the super solvent n-methyl-pyrrolidone. Correlations were developed to describe the extraction and swelling observed in the coal-solvent system. These correlations describe swelling and extraction based on experimental parameters such as extraction time and extraction temperature. The research concluded that swelling and extraction may be related processes. The most significant result of the research was a proposed relationship between the rapidness of coal swell and the coal's solubility in the solvent. The research served as support for coal structure models and solvent extraction mechanisms published in peer reviewed literature.