Effects of reaction temperature and catalyst loading on the liquefaction reactivity of macerals from typical Shendong coal

Reaction temperature and catalyst loading are important factors affecting direct coal liquefaction. Investigating their effects on the liquefaction reactivity of Shendong Bulianta raw coal and its maceral-enriched samples is therefore of considerable significance. Autoclave experiments were conducted using an oscillating micro-autoclave reactor with typical Bulianta raw coal from the Shendong mining area, a vitrinite-rich sample, and an inertinite-rich sample under different reaction temperatures and catalyst loadings. Variations in liquefaction reactivity were evaluated in terms of conversion, hydrogen consumption, and hydrogen utilization efficiency. The results showed that the liquefaction conversion, oil yield, asphaltene yield, and gas yield of Bulianta raw coal and its vitrinite-rich and inertinite-rich samples were significantly affected by reaction temperature and catalyst loading. The water yield during liquefaction was closely related to the oxygen content of the raw coal. The optimum liquefaction temperature increased in the order of raw coal, vitrinite-rich sample, and inertinite-rich sample. Under their respective optimum liquefaction conditions, the liquefaction reactivity decreased in the order of raw coal > vitrinite-rich sample > inertinite-rich sample. At a reaction temperature of 470 °C, the conversion and oil yield of the inertinite-rich sample from Shendong Bulianta coal reached 85.3% and 49.8%, respectively.