LAUSR

The volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from the pyrolysis of anthracite and bituminous coals are studied using both online single-photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SPI-TOFMS) and offline gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. It is found that the combination of the online and offline techniques is effective in the VOC analysis. It reveals that the dominant pyrolysis products of both anthracite and bituminous coals are comprised of a mixture of non-aromatic hydrocarbons, mainly alkanes and light alkenes, aromatic compounds, and their corresponding isomers. Rank variation of coal samples has important impacts on the release of pyrolysis products. High-volatile bituminous coal releases more VOCs than low-volatile anthracite coal under the same temperature. The relative contents of the pyrolysis products of the two coals also differ. SH coal releases more short-chain aliphatic and oxygen-containing compounds, while XT coal releases more aromatic and sulfur-containing...