Title: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation of nitrogen and sulphur functionalities during pyrolysis of Dongqu coal mine and Yachen coal mine of Shanxi province

Authors: Meihua Wang; Yunkun Wang; Chao Bu; Yu Feng; Xudong Zhao; Wen Yang

Addresses: Instrumental Analysis Centre, School of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China ' School of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China ' Disease Prevention and Control Centre of China Railway Third Bureau Group, Taiyuan, 030006, China ' School of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China ' School of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China ' School of Material Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, China

Abstract: In this paper, samples from Dongqu coal mine and Yachen coal mine in Shanxi Province were pyrolysed at 300 to 900°C. The X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was carried out to study the occurrence characteristics of nitrogen and sulphur in raw coal and semi-coke coal at different temperatures. The results showed that with the increase of pyrolysis temperature, pyrrole transforms into pyridine; quaternary nitrogen content decreases gradually; and nitrogen oxide content increases first and then decreases at high temperatures. The inorganic sulphur in coal is transformed into organic sulphur at high temperatures, and thiol (thioether) and pyrite in both coals are decomposed completely at 600°C. Desulphurisation should focus on unstable and abundant inorganic sulphur. Understanding the occurrence characteristics and transformation rules of nitrogen and sulphur in coal through the results of this study is of great significance for promoting coal processing and utilisation, and reducing environmental pollution. [Received: January 14, 2024; Accepted: July 07, 2024]

Keywords: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; XPS; Dongqu coal mine; Yachen coal mine; semi-coke; elements; occurrence characteristic.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2026.153753

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2026 Vol.39 No.4, pp.474 - 503

Received: 08 Jan 2024
Accepted: 07 Jul 2024
Published online: 26 May 2026 *

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