Energy Sources, Vol.24, No.9, 817-823, 2002
Fractionation and analysis of supercritical fluid extracts from lignite
There has been considerable interest in the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the fossil fuels for the production of liquid fuels and chemicals. SFE of Tuncbilek lignite from Turkey was carried out in an autoclave at the critical temperature and the pressure of the solvent. Dioxane, toluene, pyridine, and toluene/anthracene oil (a double solvent) were used as solvents for SFE experiments. The yields of extracts from supercritical dioxane, toluene, pyridine, and toluene/anthracene oil extractions of Tuncbilek lignite were 18.4, 27.0, 36.4, and 33.0%, respectively. It is seen that the SFEs with pyridine and toluene/anthracene oil are much more advantageous with respect to extract efficiencies.