Cleaning of high organic sulfur coal by electrocatalysis

High organic sulfur coal, Guangxi bituminous coal, was electrolyzed in H2SO4 solution in a batch cell with three electrodes. The test has proved that the rate of desulfurization of total sulfur, especially organic sulfur, is related to the anodic potential, the concentration of coal, the concentration of the additive, and the acidic concentration. In certain conditions over 70% of total sulfur content, 98% of inorganic sulfur, and over 70% organic sulfur are removed. At last, the electrolytic reactions about sulfur removal were postutlated. The key step in coal electrolysis is the discharging of H2O or Mn (II) to form the active radicals (such as Mn (III), O-2,OH, O-2(-)). Then the sulfur, especially organic sulfur is oxidized by the high charge ion. So the reactions of desulfurization are accelerated and the higher rate of organic sulfur removal is gained.