Production of coal pitch by the oxidation of coal extracts in anthracene oil

If anthracene oil is used to produce extracts from 2B, D, 2G, GZh coal, coal pitch may be produced by oxidation of the extracts using atmospheric oxygen. The resulting pitch is characterized by higher yield and by a greater coke residue than is observed in pitch produced from anthracene oil without added coal in analogous conditions. Ultrasound treatment for 3 h on an IL10-0.63 unit ensures complete solution of the coal (4–9%) in the anthracene oil. The mineral component of the coal also enters the solution and is then concentrated in the pitch formed. To reduce the ash content of the pitch, ash must preliminarily be removed from the initial coal. For the example of 2B and D coal, it is found that reducing the ash content of the coal to ~1% and subsequent solution in the anthracene oil to a coal concentration of 5–8% yields a coal extract such that pitch with no more than 0.4% ash and up to 41% coke residue is formed on oxidation by atmospheric oxygen.