The Advantages of Methane Production by Combined Fermentation of Lignite and Wheat Straw

Biogasification of coal is important for clean utilization of coal. Experiments on the fermentation of single lignite, single straw and their mixture were performed to explore the variation characteristics of gas production potential, microbial community and methanogenic metabolic pathways of mixture. Research has shown that mixed fermentation of lignite and straw significantly promoted biomethane production. The abundance of hydrolytic acidifying functional bacteria genera (Sphaerochaeta, Lentimicrobium) in mixed fermentation was higher than that in the fermentation of single lignite and single straw. The abundance of some key CAZy metabolic enzyme gene sequences in mixed fermentation group was increased, which was favorable to improve methane production. Aceticlastic methanogenesis was the most critical methanogenic pathway and acetic acid pathway was more competitive in methanogenic mode during peak fermentation. Macrogenomics provided theoretical support for the claim that mixed fermentation of coal and straw promoted biomethane metabolism, which was potentially valuable in expanding methanogenesis from mixed fermentation of lignite with different biomasses.

Change in Grain-Size Composition of Lignite under Cyclic Freezing-Thawing and Wetting-Drying

The paper presents the change in grain-size composition of lignite under cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC). The article shows that in the spring and autumn periods the lignites can be subjected to repeated freezing-thawing and wetting-drying, which determines the possibility of changing their grain-size composition and structure. Experimental studies in laboratory conditions on the influence of cyclic freezing-thawing (FTC) and wetting-drying (WDC) on the quality indicators of lignites have been carried out, their granulometric (fractional) composition has been studied. Freezing-thawing cycle conditions are as follows (FTC): minimum exposure temperature: -20°C;maximum: +5°C;relative humidity: 30%;number of processing cycles: 3. Wetting-drying cycles are as follows (WDC): drying temperatures are +20, +40, +60, +80°C, drying time 90 minutes, the coals are further subjected to rain (soaking) for a period of water saturation to humidity of 30% - 40% and dry again. The number of wetting-drying cycles is 3 times. The tests have revealed the destructive effects of FTC and WDC on the samples of lower metamorphic grade coal, and the cycles of wet-dry lead to the much higher yield of fine sizes (-6+0;-13+0 mm) than the cycles of freeze-thaw. Furthermore, it is found that the increase in the yield of fines depends on the heating temperature: coal disintegration proceeds more intensively at a higher temperature of drying.

Effectiveness of Combined Biochar and Lignite with Poultry Litter on Soil Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health

Healthy soils are important to ensure satisfactory crop growth and yield. Poultry litter (PL), as an organic fertilizer, has proven to supply the soil with essential macro and micronutrients, enhance soil fertility, and improve crop productivity. Integrating this treatment has the potential to improve soil physical and biological properties by increasing soil carbon, C. However, rapid decomposition and mineralization of PL, particularly in the hot and humid southeastern U.S., resulted in losing C and reduced its effect on soil health. Biochar and lignite have been proposed to stabilize and mitigate C loss through application of fresh manure. However, their combined effects with PL on C sequestration and soil health components are limited. A field experiment was conducted on Leeper silty clay loam soil from 2017 to 2020 to evaluate the combined effect on soil properties when applying biochar and lignite with PL to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The experimental design was a randomized complete block involving nine treatments replicated three times. Treatments included PL and inorganic nitrogen, N, fertilizer with or without biochar and lignite, and an unfertilized control. Application rates were 6.7 Mgkg⋅ha−1 for PL, 6.7 Mgkg⋅ha−1 for biochar and lignite and 134 kg⋅ha−1 for inorganic N fertilizer. Integration of PL and inorganic fertilizer with biochar and lignite, resulted in greater soil infiltration, aggregate stability, plant available water, reduced bulk density and penetration resistance as compared to the sole applications of PL and inorganic fertilizer.

Kinetics of recovering germanium from lignite ash with chlorinating roasting methods

A process of recovering Ge by chlorinating masting was put forward. GeCl4 was separated and recovered from lignite ash because of its low boiling point. Kinetic analysis indicates that the chlorinating roasting process fits with the unreacted-core shrinking model and the reaction rate equation corresponds to 1 - 2a/3 - （1 - a）2/3 = kt. The apparent activation energy Ea is calculated to be 22.36 kJ·mol^-1. The diffusion of product layer serves as the rate-controlling step in this process. When the roasting temperature is 250℃, the roasting time is 60 min, the con- centration of hydrochloric acid is 10 mol/L, and the ratio of liquid to solid is 10 （mHCl/ash = 10）, and 90% Ge in lignite ash can be recovered.

Effect of impregnation methods on sorbents made from lignite for desulfurization at middle temperature

With lignite after vacuum drying as the raw material,a series of Zn-based sorbents were prepared by static impregnation,ultrasonic-assisted impregnation,bubbling-assisted impregnation and high-pressure impregnation.The physical properties and the desulfurization performances of Zn-based sorbents were studied systematically by XRD,BET,AAS characterization techniques and the fixed-bed desulfurization evaluation apparatus.The sorbents obtained by high-pressure impregnation method have a larger specific surface area,pore volume and pore diameter comparing with other methods,which is conducive to the sulfidation reaction of hydrogen sulfide gas in the sorbent.The effects of pressure during the high-pressure impregnation and concentration of Zn(NO3)2 precursor solution on the sorbents properties and desulfurization behavior were investigated.The higher the impregnation pressure and the concentration of impregnation solution are,the greater the amount of the active components are uploaded.However,overhigh impregnation pressure can cause collapse and blocking of the carrier pore.The optimal operating condition of high-pressure impregnation method for preparing the sorbents was the impregnation pressure of 20 atm and the solution concentration of 41%.Under that condition,the sorbent had the best desulfurization ability with a sulfur capacity of 13.94 gS/100 gsorbent and a breakthrough time of 54 h.Its desulfurization precision and efficiency of removing H2S before sorbent breakthrough from the middle temperature gases of 400℃ can reach【5 ppm and】99%,respectively.Sorbents could be regenerated under the condition of 1 vol%O2,20 vol% H2O,0.5 vol% NH3,and N2balance gas.The regenerated sorbent could be used for repeated absorption of H2S with a slight decrease in desulfurization effect.

Improving slurryability, rheology,and stability of slurry fuel from blending petroleum coke with lignite

Petroleum coke and lignite are two important fossil fuels that have not been widely used in China. Petroleum coke-lignite slurry （PCLS）, a mixture of petro- leum coke, lignite, water, and additives, efficiently utilizes the two materials. In this study, we investigate the effects of the proportion （7） of petroleum coke on slurryability, rheo- logical behavior, stability, and increasing temperature characteristics of PCLSs. The results show that the fixed- viscosity solid concentration （COo） increases with increasing 7. The ~Oo of lignite-water slurry （LWS, ~ = 0） is 46.7 %, compared to 71.3 % for the petroleum coke-water slurry （PCWS, c~ --- i00 %）, while that of PCLS is in between the two values. The rheological behavior of PCLS perfectly fits the power-law model. The PCWS acts as a dilatant fluid. As decreases, the slurry behaves first as an approximate Newtonian fluid, and then turns into a pseudo-plastic fluid that exhibits shear-thinning behavior. With increasing ct, the rigid sedimentation and water separation ratio （WSR） increase, indicating a decrease in the stability of PCLS. When α is 60-70 %, the result is a high-quality slurry fuel for industrial applications, which has high slurryability （ω0 = 57-60 %）, good stability （WSR 〈 2 %）, and superior pseudo-plastic behavior （n = 0.9）.

Bio-solubilization of Chinese lignite II:protein adsorption onto the lignite surface

Lignite bio-solubilization is a promising technology for converting solid lignite into oil.This study concerns the adsorption of lignite-solubilizing enzymes onto the lignite surface.Adsorption capacity, infrared spectral analysis and driving forces analysis are studied as a way to help understand the bio-solubilization mechanism.The results show that the amount of lignite bio-solubilization is proportional to the amount of adsorbed lignite-solubilizing enzymes.An increase in lignite-solubilizing enzyme adsorption of 10% leads to a 7% increase in lignite bio-solubilization.However, limited amounts of enzymes can be adsorbed by the lignite, thus resulting in low percentages of bio-solubilization.Infrared spectral analysis shows that side chains, such as hy-droxyl and carbonyl, of the lignite structure are the main, and necessary, structures where lignite-solubilizing enzymes attachto the lignite.Furthermore, driving force analysis indicates that the electrostatic force between lignite and enzymes is the main adsorption mechanism.The forces are influenced by solution pH levels, the zeta potential of the lignite and the isoelectric points of the en-zymes.

Characterization of nitrogen-containing aromatics in Baiyinhua lignite and its soluble portions from thermal dissolution

Soluble portions(SPs) 1-4(SP1-SP4) were afforded from sequentially dissolution and alkanolyses of Baiyinhua lignite(BL) in cyclohexane,CH3OH,CH3CH2OH,and(CH3)2CHOH at 300℃.They were analyzed with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer and quadrupole exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer(QEOTMS) with an atmosphere pressure chemical ionization source in positive-ion mode,while BL was characterized with an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XRPES).The results show that the yields of SP2 and SP3 are much higher than those of SP1 and SP4,and the total SP yield is ca.39.0%.According to the analysis with XRPES,pyrrolic nitrogen atoms are the most abundant nitrogen existing forms in BL.Thousands of nitrogen-containing aromatics(NCAs) were resolved with QEOTMS and their molecular masses are mainly in the range of 200-450 u.The main NCAs are N1O1 and N1O2 class species with double bond equivalent values of 4-18 and carbon numbers of 7-30.The nitrogen atoms appear in pyridine s,quinolines,benzoquinolines or acridine,and dibenzoquinolines or naphthoquinolines,while the oxygen atoms exist in methoxy and furan rings.

Eocene lignites from Cambay basin, Western India： An excellent source of hydrocarbon

In the present paper lignites from the Cambay basin have been studied for their hydrocarbon potential.The samples were collected from three lignite fieldse Vastan, Rajpardi and Tadkeshwar, and were investigated by petrography, chemical analyses and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. The results are well comparable with the empirically derived values. The study reveals that these ‘low rank C＇ lignites are exceedingly rich in reactive macerals（huminite t liptinite） while inertinite occurs in low concentration. These high volatile lignites generally have low ash yield except in few sections. The Rock-Eval data indicates the dominance of kerogen type-III with a little bit of type-II. The study reveals that the lignites of Vastan（lower and upper seams） and Tadkeshwar upper seam are more gas-prone while Rajpardi and Tadkeshwar lower seams are oil-prone. Further, the fixed hydrocarbons are several times higher than the free hydrocarbons. The relation between TOC and fixed hydrocarbon indicates that these lignites are excellent source rock for hydrocarbon which could be obtained mainly through thermal cracking. The empirically derived values reveal a high conversion（94e96%） and high oil yield（64e66%） for these lignites.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization Notice 1.Process condition selection

The process of lignite desulphurization via its treatment by an oxidant(air or air–steam mixture)has been studied.The research objective was useful determination of steam application in oxidative lignite desulphurization.It has been proved that the water steam should be included in the oxidant composition to increase the hydrogen sulphide and combustible constituent content in the gases obtained during the processes under research.The impact of factors which affect the reactions between solid(in our case–lignite)and gaseous reagent(oxidant,i.e.air and or air–steam mixture)upon the research process has been investigated,if these reactions occur in the kinetic area.Such factors are linear rate of oxidant movement and coal grain size.The values of oxidant movement linear rate and coal grain size,which the reaction transfer from pyrite sulphur and organic content of lignite from diffusion into kinetic area occurs by,have been determined.Under these‘‘transfer’’conditions,the values of coefficients of oxidant mass transfer(β,m/s)as well as Sherwood criteria and boiling layer differences have been calculated.

The Adsorption of Phenol by Lignite Activated Carbon

The feasibility and adsorption effect of lignite activated carbon for phenol removal from aqueous solutions were evaluated and investigated. A series of tests were performed to look into the influence of various experimental parameters such as contact time, initial phenol concentration, temperature, and pH value on the adsorption of phenol by lignite activated carbon. The experimental data were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption is an endothermic process and conforms to Freundlich thermodynamic model. The results indicate that the lignite activated carbon is suitable to be used as an adsorbent material for adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions.

Evaluating performance of lignite pillars with 2D approximation techniques and 3D numerical analyses

This paper attempts to investigate the use of approximate 2D numerical simulation techniques for the evaluation of lignite pillar geomechanical response, formed via the room and pillar mining method.Performance and applicability of the developing methodology are assessed through benchmarking with a more direct and accurate 3D numerical model. This analysis utilizes an underground lignite mine which is being developed in soft rock environment. Through the decisions made for the optimum room and pillar layout, the design process highlights the strong points and the weaknesses of 2D finite element analysis, and provides useful recommendations for future reference. The interpretations of results demonstrate that 2D approximation techniques come near quite well to the actual 3D problem.However, external load approximation technique seems to fit even better with the respective outcomes from the 3D analyses.

Geochemistry of Kasnau-Matasukh lignites, Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan （India）

The distribution and verticals variation of geochemical components in the Kasnau-Matasukh lignites of Nagaur Basin, Rajasthan, were investigated using microscopy, proximate and ultimate analyses, Rock-Eval Pyrolysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier Transform Infrared analyses, and major/minor/trace element determination. The relationship of elements with ash content and with macerals have also been discussed. These lignites are stratified, black, dominantly composed of huminite group macerals with subordinated amounts of liptinite and inertinite groups. They are classified as type-III kerogen and are mainly gas prone in nature. The concentration （in vol%） of mineral matter is seen to increase towards upper part of seam and so is the concentration （in wt%） of the volatile matter, elemental carbon and sulphur. The common minerals present in these lignitesare mixed clay layer, chlorite, and quartz as identified by X-ray diffraction study. Compared with world average in brown coal, the bulk concentration of Cu is anomalously high in most of the samples while Cd is 2-3 times high and Zn is high in one band. Based on interrelationship, different pyrite forms are noticed to have different preferential enrichment of various elements. The concentration of disseminated pyrite is more than the other pyrite forms and is followed by discrete pyrite grains and massive pyrite.

Enhanced-hydrogen gas production through underground gasification of lignite

Underground coal gasification is one of the clean technologies of in-situ coal utilization.Hydrogen production from underground gasification of lignite was investigated in this study based on simulation experiments.Pyrolysis of lignite, gasification activity, oxygen-steam gasification and the effect of groundwater influx were studied.As well, the advantages of lignite for stable underground gasification were analyzed.The results indicate that lignite has a high activity for gasification.Coal pyrolysis is an important source of hydrogen emission.Under special heating conditions, hydrogen is released from coal seams at temperatures above 350 °C and reaches its maximum value between 725 and 825 °C.Gas with a hydrogen concentration of 40% to 50% can be continuously obtained by oxygen-steam injection at an optimum ratio of steam to oxygen, while lignite properties will ensure stable gasification.Groundwater influx can be utilized for hydrogen preparation under certain geological conditions through pressure control.Therefore, enhanced-hydrogen gas production through underground gasification of lignite has experimentally been proved.

Bio-solubilization of Chinese lignite I:extra-cellular protein analysis

A white rot fungus strain, Trichoderma sp.AH, was isolated from rotten wood in Fushun and used to study the mechanism of lignite bio-solubilization.The results showed that nitric acid pretreated Fushun lignite was solubilized by T.sp.AH and that extracellular proteins from T.sp.AH were correlated with the lignite bio-solubilization results.In the presence of Fushun lignite the extracellular protein concentration from T.sp.AH was 4.5 g/L while the concentration was 3 g/L in the absence of Fushun lignite.Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) of the extracellular proteins detected at least four new protein bands after the T.sp.AH had solubilized the lignite.Enzyme color reactions showed that extracellular proteins from T.sp.AH mainly consisted of phenol-oxidases, but that lignin decomposition enzymes such as laccase, peroxidase and manganese peroxidases were not present.

Segregation modes,characteristics,and mechanisms of multi-component lignite in a vibrated gas-fluidized bed

The segregation modes and characteristics of 1-6 mm multi-component lignite were studied in a microporous, vibrated, gas-fluidized bed of Φ110 mm ×400 mm. The effects of particle density and size, vibration frequency and amplitude, and gas velocity on these characteristics were considered. The average size, average density, size deviation coefficient, and density deviation coefficient were used to identify lignite size and density. The separation efficiency was adopted to evaluate the segregation performance,and the segregation mechanisms were explored. The results show that ε(size,max) of heterogeneous multisize-component lignite with K_(size) = 65% reaches 80% at f= 20 Hz, A = 5 mm, and N =(1,3). ε_(density,max) Of heterogeneous multi-density-component lignite with K_(density)= 25% reaches 50% at f = 15 Hz, A = 5 mm,and N =(1,1.5). The density segregations of 1-3 and 3-6 mm multi-component mixtures are remarkable,ε_(density,max)= 42% and 31% at f= 14 and 16 Hz, and A = 3 and 5 mm, respectively. The size segregation of 1-6 mm multi-component mixture is prominent and ε_(size,max)= 55% at f= 15 Hz, A = 5 mm. The mediumsized mixture with a narrow size distribution at low frequency is favorable for density segregation,and a mixture with a wider size distribution at high frequency is most favorable for size segregation.Precise control of gas flow and vibration as well as optimal design of the fluidized bed can improve the performance of segregation in the vibrated gas-fluidized bed.

Investigation on the structural feature of Shengli lignite

The extraction residue from Shengli lignite was sequentially dissolved in cyclohexane, benzene, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol in an autoclave at 320℃ to afford soluble portions(SPs) 1–5(SP_1-SP_5) and the final residue(FR). The total yield of SP_1-SP_5 is ca. 55.1%. The FR was subjected to ruthenium ioncatalyzed oxidation and the resulting products were isolated from the reaction mixture and esterified.Both the esterified products and SP_1-SP_5 were analyzed with a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer.In total, 342 compounds were identified in SP_1-SP_5. They can be classified into normal alkanes, branched alkanes, alkenes, alkanedienes, arenes, alkanols, methylcycloalkanes, alkenols, alkylbenzenemethanols,arenols, anisol and substituted anisols, polymethyldihydrobenzofurans, arenofurans, dibenzofurans,ethoxymethylbenzenes, aldehydes, ketones, esters, nitrogen-containing organic compounds, sulfurcontaining organic compounds, and other compounds. Among the compounds, arenols are predominant in SP_1 and SP_2 and the main compounds in SP_3, while the main compounds in SP_4 and SP_5 are esters and arenes, respectively. According to the esterified products identified, the products from the FR oxidation can be grouped into non-benzene ring carboxylic acids(NBCAs) and benzenepolycarboxylic acids(BPCAs). The total yield of BPCAs is much higher than that of NBCAs, suggesting that the FR is rich in condensed aromatic moieties.

Effect of industrial microwave irradiation on the physicochemical properties and pyrolysis characteristics of lignite

The surface functional groups and pyrolysis characteristics of lignite irradiated by microwave were comparatively studied to evaluate the feasibility of using industrial 915 MHz for lignite drying. The drying kinetics, micro structure, chemical functional groups, re-adsorption properties, and pyrolysis characteristics of the dried coal were respectively analyzed. Results indicated that for typical Chinese lignite studied in this paper, 915 MHz microwave drying was 7.8 times faster than that of the hot air drying. After industrial microwave drying, the sample possessed much higher total specific surface area and specific pore volume than that of air dried sample. The oxygen functional groups and re-adsorption ratio of microwave irradiated coal decreased, showing weakened hydrophilicity. Moreover, during the pyrolysis of the coal dried by hot air and microwave, the yield of tar largely increased from 1.3% to 8.5% and the gas production increased correspondingly. The composition of the tar was also furtherly analyzed, results indicated that Miscellaneous hydrocarbons(HCs) were the main component of the tar, and microwave irradiation can reduce the fraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) from 26.4% to 22.7%.

Improving extraction yield of humic substances from lignite with anthraquinone in alkaline solution

Based on the characteristics of the lignite sample, effects of assistant anthraquinone （AQ） on extraction yield of humic substances （HS） and the action mechanisms of AQ in alkaline condition were studied by Fouvier transform infrared （FT-IR） spectroscopy. The results indicate that assistant AQ can not only increase the extraction yield of HS but also reduce the alkali dosage （NaOH） as well as the extraction temperature and extraction time. Under the optimal conditions of alkali dosage of 9%, AQ dosage of 0.75%, extraction temperature of 80 ℃, extraction time of 30 min, stirring speed of 600 r/min and solid-to-liquid ratio of 1：3, the extraction yield of HS reaches 80.08%, which is increased by more than 20% compared with the conventional extraction. FT-IR spectra show that AQ is able to prevent dissolved HS from being destroyed into undissolved substance by alkali and 1-IS obtained in the presence of AQ possesses more groups of COOR and --COOH than that obtained without AQ.

Petrographic characteristics and paleoenvironmental history of Eocene lignites of Cambay basin, Western India

Lignite samples collected from Vastan, Rajpardi and Tadkeshwar lignite mines of Cambay basin （Gujarat） were subjected to organic petrographic investigations and geochemical analyses and the data, thus generated, is used to reconstruct the paleodepositional history of these lignite sequences. The lignites of Cambay basin dominantly comprise huminite maceral group （71.6%-86.3%） followed by liptinite （10.1%-19.3%） and inertinite （3.6%-11.0%） maceral groups. The mineral matter varies from 9.0% to 20.0%. The petrography based facies model indicates that these lignites have high values of gelification index （GI） and low tissue preservation index revealing a continuous wet condition in the basin and a relatively slower rate of subsidence during the decay of organic matter. On several occasions, during the formation of seams in Tadkeshwar, Rajpardi and Vastan mines, the value of GI exceeded 10 which indicates a forest permanently flooded and the cause of pronounced degree of degradation. However, few sections in Tadkeshwar seam had relatively drier spells of environmental conditions due to fluctuation in the water table as revealed by moderately high content of inertinite macerals. This is specially indicated by the occurrence of funginite which normally thrives in the upper oxy- genated peatigenic layer and indicates prevalence of oxic conditions during plant deposition. Such conditions prevailed during a transgressive phase but there were intermittent fluvial activities also giving rise to supratidal flood plain as reflected in the form of associated carbonaceous shales in the basin.