Abstract
This article outlines our current understanding of the structure of coal in terms of both the chemical and physical bonding processes responsible for its structural integrity and the extensive network of pores that permeate the organic material. Information on the microscopic chemistry of coal and its relationship to coal's physical structure and reactivity is an essential component in the successful development of the next generation of coal conversion technologies. Although coal is an extremely complex and heterogeneous material, many of its fundamental properties can be determined by the coordinated efforts of organic and physical chemists, solid state physicists, and chemical engineers. The scientific questions that emerge from these efforts lie at the frontiers of chemistry and physics research.
Keywords: coal reactivity, physical properties of coal, coal pore structure
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Gorbaty M. L., Wright F. J., Lyon R. K., Long R. B., Schlosberg R. H., Baset Z., Liotta R., Silbernagel B. G., Neskora D. R. Coal science: basic research opportunities. Science. 1979 Nov 30;206(4422):1029–1034. doi: 10.1126/science.206.4422.1029. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mraw S. C., Naas-O'rourke D. F. Water in coal pores: low-temperature heat capacity behavior of the moisture in wyodak coal. Science. 1979 Aug 31;205(4409):901–902. doi: 10.1126/science.205.4409.901. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]