Soluble Sulfur Species Extracted from Coal by Chemical Leaching

摘要

The nature of the soluble sulfur-containing reaction products from the desulfurization of pyrite was studied. The rate of oxydesulfurization of the two varieties of pyrite was studied under the leaching conditions of the Ames process. Concentrations of soluble sulfur species were determined for oxydesulfurization using leach solutions of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, distilled water, and dilute sulfuric acid and for alkaline leaching without oxygen using sodium carbonate. Mineral grade pyrite was found to be much less reactive towards oxydesulfurization than coal-derived pyrite, although the mechanism of sulfur removal was apparently the same. The sulfur containing products of oxydesulfurization were found to be thiosulfate, sulfite, and sulfate for alkaline leach solutions, and elemental sulfur and sulfuric acid when neutral or acidic solutions were used. For the Ames process, thiosulfate was usually the major sulfur containing product, although oxidation to sulfite and sulfate was found to take place. Oxidation of thiosulfate did not occur with oxygen alone, but did occur in the presence of oxygen and partially reacted pyrite. Higher temperatures and higher oxygen partial pressures favored formation of sulfate at the expense of both thiosulfate and sulfite. With neutral and acidic leach solutions, sulfuric acid accounted for most of the sulfur, although measurable quantities of elemental sulfur were present. (ERA citation 08:013720)