Hydrogen production by two-stage co-pyrolysis of bituminous coal-polymers mixtures

The two stage co-pyrolysis method for obtaining of hydrogen is described. In the course of the heating of the mixture of bituminous coal with polyisoprene and styrene-butadiene polymers (co-pyrolysis), a considerable amount of hydrogen and hydrocarbons is released in dependence on the process conditions. The experiments proved that the amount of hydrogen increased already with slightly increased heating rate (5 K [min.sup.-1]) in comparison with the amount obtained at a common heating rate (3 K [min.sup.-1]) and, further, with the addition of the second (cracking) stage for further thermal splitting of released hydrocarbons into hydrogen (and carbon), preferably at a temperature of 1200 [degrees]C. KEYWORDS: co-pyrolysis, coal, polymers, hydrogen