Date of Award
8-1979
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Catalytic non-hydrogenative depolymerization of North Dakota lignite was investigated by reacting it with phenol in the presence of an acid catalyst. Three catalysts were examined: calcined activated carbon, p-toluene sulfonic acid, and methane sulfonic acid. The order of effectiveness of these catalysts in decreasing order, based on yield is: methane sulfonic acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, and activated carbon. The products were characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight distribution, and infrared spectroscopy. The NMR was used to determine the relative differences in aromatic character between the products. Properties of the products were determined to be functions of reaction conditions. The structures of some of the products obtained have been postulated. The products were solid under ambient conditions.
Recommended Citation
Kiefer, James B., "Acid catalyzed nonhydrogenative depolymerization of lignite" (1979). Theses and Dissertations. 12971.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/12971