Sulphur capturing by an inertinite rich high ash bituminous coal during conversion in a pilot packed bed reactor

Sulphur is liberated from the coal structure and released in various forms during coal thermal processing. The possibility of sulphur capture, through injection of SO₂ into a packed coal bed in a pilot packed bed reactor operated under controlled conditions, was investigated. Results showed that SO₂ injection into a packed coal bed leads to sulphur capturing mainly in the coal mineral matter. Mineralogical analysis (XRD) of the ash samples obtained from the experiments indicates that the sulphur-capture products that are formed include FeS, CaS and small amounts of organically associated sulphur. Troilite (FeS) was observed in the SO₂ treated samples, while no troilite was observed in the reference samples. Calcite and dolomite are transformed into CaO and other calcium-containing compounds in the pyrolyses zone, with some CaS being formed in the gasification zone via the reaction between SO₂ and CaO in the presence of CO from the gasification reactions. CaO formed at the high temperatures in the combustion and ash zone is transformed into CaSO₄ upon reaction with SO₂ as an oxidizing atmosphere prevails in this zone. The existence of these compounds is dependent on the extent of oxidising or reducing conditions during the process, with CaS favoured under reducing conditions and CaSO₄ favoured under oxidising conditions.