Optimization of solvent extraction process of some Turkish coals using response surface methodology and production of ash-free coal

Gözmen, Belgin | Sönmez, Özgür

In order to produce ash-free coal (AFC) from three Turkish coals, solvent extraction of coals using 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN) at different temperatures were conducted. The extraction yield of coals was found dependenton coal, temperature, and solvent type. When there was usage of 1-MN as solvent, the extraction yield was low. However,on addition of N-methyl-2-pyryrolidone (NMP) or quinoline (QN) into 1-MN, the extraction yield increased. Following theextractions, we obtained AFC with less than 0.65% ash content for the three coals used in this study. The response surfacemethodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the solvent extraction conditions. The factors investigated were extractiontemperature and additional polar solvent ratio. The obtained results demonstrated that either excess ...