Lignite retains relative integrity in supramolecular structure of coal-forming plants and has larger amount of oxygen functionalities, such as oxygen bridge bonds in comparison with higher rank coal. Supercritical methanolysis is considered a promising process for converting lignite to clean fuel and chemicals by proper depolymerization of oxygen bridge bonds in lignite. Direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) allows a fast non-contact analysis of various samples such as powders, and viscous liquids. To understand the composition of lignite and effective utilize it, it is necessary to analyze lignite powders and products from supercritical methanolysis of lignite using DART-MS. Data processing, such as plot of Kendrick mass defect vs nominal Kendrick mass, was done to investigate complex species in lignite. The corresponding dimers, or even trimers, of the compounds were also observed.

Methanolysis products of two lignites analyzed using TOF-MS equipped with direct analysis in real time ion source

245th National Meeting (2013)

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