Oxidative Desulphurization of North-east Indian Coals by Using Different Metal Ions/oxides as Catalyst

The present communication reports a simple oxidative desulphurization technique for high sulphur coal by using performic acid in presence of various metal ions/oxides. This simple oxidation by per acids gave the desulphurization of Tirap coal up to 22.58 wt%, while in presence of various metal ions as catalysts, the oxidative desulphurization is found to be increased. Desulphurization is achieved up to the extent 24.59-39.51 % using various metal catalysts. Physico-chemical characteristics of raw and oxidized coal samples are determined and FT-IR and XRD studies of raw and treated samples have been reported. Formation of oxidized sulphur species (S=O and -SO₂) is detected in FT-IR spectroscopy. The reaction mechanism of sulphur removal by metal ions/oxides have been also been discussed.