ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION OF THE FEEDSTOCK BASE FOR PRODUCTION OF SULFONATED COAL.

A discriminant function method was used to evaluate the possibility of prediction of the sulfonation capacity of coal types from the Karaganda coalfield with several groups of parameters. If the coal is characterized by the vitrinite reflectance index, the sum of the leaning components, and the plastic layer thickness Y, one may determine the sulfonation capacity of group I (DEC below 320 g-eq/m**3) and group II coal (DEC over 320 g-eq/m**3) with probability of 90 and 100%, respectively. In the case where the specimen is characterized by the ash A**d, hydrogen content H**d**a**f, and carbon C**d**a//f, in addition to certain indices, the probability of correct prediction of the capacity of group I and II sulfonated coal reaches 100%. One may predict the possibility of sulfonation of coal by using only the results of petrographic (probability or group I 100%, for group II 80%. It is shown that the use of traditional investigation methods with consideration of information obtained previously on indirect indices permitted the authors, with a minimal number of experiments, to find a promising new feedstock base for production of sulfonated coal.