(18f) Brief Review of Thermal Graphitization of Coals and Carbons

Evan J. Granite

United States Department of Energy

National Energy Technology Laboratory

Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940

evan.granite@netl.doe.gov

Abstract

The United States has the world’s largest coal reserves. Graphite and graphite-like materials can be interesting products from coal and other low-cost carbons. Coal forms from plant matter over geological time periods; i.e., millions to hundreds of millions of years. As the plant matter decomposes, the material becomes more ordered (coalified or graphitized) under the influence of time, temperature and pressure. Lower ranks of coal such as lignite are younger and contain less fixed carbon, visible plant material, more volatile matter and less ordered carbon. In contrast, high rank coals (anthracite) develop structures that resemble graphite. With the formation of high rank coals in nature as a starting point, this talk will briefly review thermal processes for the graphitization of coals and other carbon precursors.

Disclaimer

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.