ISOLATION OF COAL-SOLUBILIZING MICROORGANISMS AND UTILIZATION OF THE SOLUBILIZED PRODUCT

Twenty-eight strains of microorganisms able to solubilize pretreated subbituminous coal were isolated. One fungal strain was selected as the most effective isolate, because it produced black liquid rapidly from coal. The black liquid contained about 2% (w/v) of a coal-derived material that had a high molecular weight and gave precipitate in an acidic condition. Characteristics of the precipitate that were investigated and compared with the original coals were elemental composition and IR spectrum. Coal-water mixture containing 64% (w/v) of bituminous coal and 0.7% (w/v) of the material had a viscosity of 0.31 Pa.s. It might be possible to use the microbial product as an additive for coal-water mixture.