Characterization of Tars from the Thermal Processing of Baganuur and Tavan Tolgoi Coals from Mongolia, Using SEC, UV-F, IR and Mass Spectrometry

Barnasan Purevsuren, Yadamsuren Davaajav, Sanjaa Batbilig, Jargalsaikhan Namkhainorov, Fatma Karaca, Trevor J. Morgan, Patricia Alvarez Rodriguez, Feng H. Tay, Sergei Kazarian, Alan A. Herod, Rafael Kandiyoti

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Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

DOI: 10.4236/aces.2013.32016                

Abstract

Tars from two Mongolian coals (Tavan Tolgoi and Baganuur) produced by simple distillation have been characterized using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with elution in both 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) and a mixed solvent (NMP and chloroform), UV-fluorescence in chloroform and NMP, gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (GC-MS, probe-MS and LD-MS with thin layer chromatography) and infra-red spectroscopy. The SEC chromatograms using NMP and the solvent mixture NMP: chloroform indicates that similar conclusions can be drawn from using either eluent. The synchronous UV-fluorescence spectra were shifted to longer wavelengths in chloroform solution than in NMP and chloroform may be the better solvent for these tars prepared without extensive secondary thermal treatment. Infra-red spectra indicated differences between the two coal tars that reflected their different ranks, with more oxygenate groups in the lower rank Baganuur coal. Mass spectrometry (GC-MS and probe-MS) of both coal tars confirmed the presence of aliphatic components as well as aromatics and the relatively extensive alkylation of aromatics. Molecular mass ranges indicated for Baganuur tar by SEC compared well with the mass range by LD-MS although the LD-MS extended to higher mass values. The high mass fractions of the tars were revealed by fractionation by thin layer chromatography with the relevant sections of the developed plates inserted directly into the mass spectrometer; laser desorption was directly from the surface of the plate. LD-MS of the unfractionated samples failed to detect the high mass components because of mass discrimination effects. The high mass components were carried over in the distillation by mass transfer of vapours into the condenser.

Keywords

Mongolian Coals; Tar Preparation; Characterization; Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry; Thin Layer Chromatography

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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