Abstract

Anodic oxidation of acidic coal slurries at potentials of 0.81.0 V, on the NHE scale, causes
pyrite present in coal to react and dissolve while H2 is produced simultaneously at the
cathode. If coal is filtered from unelectrolysed coal slurries, the filtrates show similar
electrochemical reactivity. Cyclic voltammetry applied to either slurry orfiltrate indicates that
the reversible, one-electron oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) is a major reaction, but chemical
assays reveal that sulphide also is oxidized, to S and SO42.The electrochemical reactions
may involve direct oxidation of pyrite when coal particles strike the anode; it is likely, in
addition, that dissolved ionic Fe may act as an electron shuttle between solid pyrite and the
anode. Other experiments without coal also indicate that Fe(III) (which can be produced from
Fe(II) at the anode) can oxidize pyrite and thiophene. Preliminary experiments with lignite
and a bituminous coal suggest that up to 40% of the total sulphur can be removed from coal
by slurry electrolysis in acidic electrolyte with either platinum or graphite electrodes.

Keywords

coal;

sulphur;

electrolysis

Copyright 1983 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0016236183900066
Electrolytic pretreatment of Illinois No. 6 coal
Original Research Article
Fuel Processing Technology, Volume 11, Issue 1, August 1985, Pages 2536
Shashi B. Lalvani, S. Nand, R.W. Coughlin
Abstract
Electrolysis of Illinois No. 6 coal in acidic as well as basic electrolytes
accomplishes significant amount of sulfur and ash removal under
moderate reaction conditions. Electrolysis at 1.4 V vs. SCE (saturated
calomel electrode) in 2 M NaCl + 9% HCl electrolyte accomplishes 62%
sulfur removal and leaves behind a clean coal with the sulfur to heating
value ratio of 1.44 lb S/million Btu (0.619 kg S/GJ) while coal slurry
oxidation at 3.0 V vs. SCE results in 72% ash removal. Coal electrolysis in
basic electrolytes accomplishes a clean residue with relatively low oxygen
content. The sulfur to heating value ratio of 2.11 lb S/million Btu (0.907 kg
S/GJ) is observed for coal electrolyzed in 2 M NaOH at 3.0 V vs. SCE.
Impurity removal from coal is simultaneously accompanied by clean
hydrogen gas production at the cathode at Faradaic coulometric

$41.9
5

efficiencies of over 95%. Hydrogen gas is produced by the depolarization

of water by mineral impurities present in coal. A relatively small amount of
H2 is produced due to water splitting caused by the carbonaceous part of
the coal. Model reaction pathways for coal cleaning are discussed. More
work is in progress on the types of sulfur forms removed from coal.

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Sulphur removal from coal by electrolysis
Original Research Article
Fuel, Volume 62, Issue 4, April 1983, Pages 427-437
Shashi Lalvani, Milan Pata, Robert W. Coughlin
Abstract

Coal Electrolysis

Coal is one of the most important sources of energy in the world and is among the most costefficient and abundant fuels available. For many years coal has been used to produce
electrical energy. Its use is, however, a large source of environmental contamination.
Pollution, together with the expected shortage of oil in the future, has created the need for
alternative green energies. Coal electrolysis is an excellent green alternative for hydrogen fuel
production.

The electrolysis of coal was first proposed in the late 70s by Coughlin and Farooque. The
process involves the oxidation of coal at the anode of an electrochemical cell
C + 2H2O -----> CO2 + 4H+ + 4eand reduction at the cathode to produce hydrogen
4H+ + 4e- -----> 2H2
The theoretical standard potential for this process is 0.21V, which is significantly lower than
the standard potential of water electrolysis (1.23 V).
CEER has developed a new technology (apparatus, catalyst, and method) to produce
hydrogen using coal as the raw material. The technology is called the Continuous Coal
Electrolytic Cell (CEC). In this process, a small amount of electric power is applied to a
coal-slurry to produce clean hydrogen with minimum CO2 emissions.
Electrochemical cell to produce pure hydrogen using coal as the raw material
The CEC is operated at low temperatures (25-180C) and pressures (1-2 atm), and it also has
the capacity to produce liquid fuels and other organic materials with significant commercial
potential.
Advantages

1. The H2 storage problem is minimized, and there is greater fuel flexibility and
enhanced compatibility with renewable energy sources.
2. The CEC is a clean technology: product gases do not contain harmful pollutants such
as SOx H2S, and NOx.
3. Low temperature operation and mild working conditions make this process cheaper
than others. In addition, the separation of CO2 is not required.
4. Coal is not completely oxidized to CO2. Intermediate oils are formed that may have
commercial value. In addition, the char may have enhanced properties than the char
from coal gasification.
Sponsors

State of Wyoming under the Clean Coal Technology Initiative

Publications

1. P. Patil, Y. DeAbreu, G. G. Botte, "Electrooxidation of coal slurries on different

electrode materials," J. Power Sources, 158, p368 (2006)

2. N. Sathe and G.G. Botte, "Assessment of coal and graphite electrolytes on carbon
fiber electrodes," J. Power Sources, 161, p513 (2006)
3. Y. DeAbreu, P. Patil, A. Marquez and G. G. Botte, "Characterization of
electrooxidized Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal," Fuel, 86, p573 (2007)
4. X. Jin and G.G. Botte, "Feasibility of hydrogen production from coal electrolysis at
intermediate temperatures," J. Power Sources, 171, p826 (2007)
5. X. Jin and G.G. Botte, "Electrochemical technique to measure Fe(II) and Fe(III)
concentrations simultaneously," J. Appl. Electrochem., 39, p1709 (2009)
6. X. Jin and G.G. Botte, "Understanding the kinetics of coal electrolysis at
intermediate temperatures," J. Power Sources, 195, p4935 (2010)
https://www.ohio.edu/engineering/ceer/research/coal.cfm