The report gives results of preservation and desulfurization studies associated with the Reactor Test Unit (RTU), an 8-ton per day test plant used in the EPA-sponsored development of the Meyers Process for ferric sulfate leaching of pyritic sulfur from coal. RTU operation in 1977 and 1978 showed that it could be run continuously on three shifts to reduce the sulfur content of the feed coal to meet the 1.2 lb SOx Emission Standard for New Stationary Sources. Corrosion was encountered in the stainless steel main reactor vessel which required modification prior to further testing. The present program provides a complete corrosion assessment, established specifications for a tail-end elemental sulfur extraction unit, and developed maintenance and upkeep requirements for the RTU. A Meyers Process modification, involving a preliminary float and sink operation in the ferric sulfate leach solution, followed by Meyers processing of the sink (high pyrite) fraction was investigated at bench scale. Experimental verification and applicability assessment of this new approach was performed on both coal wastes and Eastern Interior Basin run-of-mine coal.

"TRW Defense and Space Systems Group." "November 1979." Includes bibliographical references. "Contract no. 68-02-1880, program element no. INE825."