Coal Desulfurization in Oxidative Acid Media Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Ozone: A Kinetic and Statistical Approach

The removal of pyritic sulfur from a Mexican sub-bituminous Coal in nitric, sulfuric, and hydrochloric acid solutions was investigated. The effect of the type and concentration of acid, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ozone as oxidants, in a temperature range of 20-60 degrees C, Was Studied. The relevant factors in pyrite dissolution were determined by means of the statistical analysis of variance and optimized by the response surface method. Kinetic models were also evaluated, showing that the dissolution of pyritic Sulfur follows the kinetic model of the shrinking core model, with diffusion through the solid product of the reaction as the controlling stage. The results of statistical analysis indicate that the use Of ozone as an oxidant improves the pyrite dissolution because, at 0.25 M HNO3 Or H2SO4 at 20 degrees C and 0.33 g/h O-3, the obtained dissolution is similar to that of 1 M H2O2 and 1 M HNO3 or H2SO4 at 40 degrees C.