FTIR and simultaneous TG/MS/FTIR study of Late Permian coals from Southern China

Five coals selected from South China were studied by proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and FTIR with curve-fitting analysis to obtain information on the chemical composition and chemical structure in the samples. The thermogravimetric behaviors of these samples and their evolution of gaseous compounds during pyrolysis were studied by thermogravimetry coupled with mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG/MS/FTIR). The results showed that the chemical structures of these samples are characterized by relatively higher amounts of aliphatic groups while the degree of aromatization/condensation is low. In addition, these samples (except MS-5) have good hydrocarbon-generating potential. The thermogravimetric experiments showed that these samples undergo intense thermal decomposition. The information on the evolution of gaseous compounds (i.e. H2, H2O, CO, CO2 and CH4) during pyrolysis under the conditions used in this work can be provided by TG/MS/FTIR method and their evolution are different.

► The samples with high hydrogen contents and barkinite content were chosen.
► The samples are characterized by an aliphatic-rich structure.
► It was inferred that the samples have good hydrocarbon-generating potential.
► The evolutions of gaseous compounds during pyrolysis are different.
► The release of gaseous compounds is related to functional groups of coal.