On the potassium-catalysed gasification of a Chilean bituminous coal

The effects of potassium loading and impregnation conditions on the pyrolysis and gasification behaviour of a Chilean bituminous coal were investigated. The degree of chemisorption of the catalyst precursor on the support (coal) was related to the surface chemistry of the coal. It was found to have a significant effect on the loss of catalyst during pyrolysis. It was concluded that the existence (or creation) of catalyst anchoring sites, such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in coals and coal chars, is more important for preventing potassium loss during pyrolysis and/or gasification than for ensuring its high dispersion during gasification.