Evaluation of properties of coal slurry from different solvents

Coal slurries were separately prepared with benzene, ethanol, hexane and water, and the fuel properties of the slurries were examined. The ability of the solvents to dissolve the coal was also evaluated using spectrophotometer in the ultra-violet and visible regions. Some of the slurry properties indicated that the liquid coal have comparable properties to petroleum-based conventional diesel oil. Benzene and hexane were highly flammable and therefore hazardous. The liquid coal can be easily transported in pipelines based on the choice of suitable solvents as evaluated. The coal was extracted with the solvents in decreasing order of ethanol>benzene>water>hexane.   Key words: Coal, properties, slurries, solvents.