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Title: Homogeneous catalytic hydrocracking processes for conversion of coal to liquid fuels: basic and exploratory research. Quarterly report, March 16, 1978--June 15, 1978

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6573475· OSTI ID:6573475

Work has begun on the investigation of the CO/H/sub 2/O/base system for upgrading Illinois No. 6 coal. Reactions of coal in CO/H/sub 2/O/KOH at 400/sup 0/C for 20 minutes provide products that appear favorable compared with SRC. The results of a blank CO/H/sub 2/O/KOH run demonstrate the presence of formate in our system, and the production of hydrogen, which is catalytic with respect to base. Model compound results from i-PrOH/KOH, MeOH/KOH, and CO/H/sub 2/O/KOH systems indicate that anthracene-like structures in coal would be hydrogenated in these systems, but phenanthrene-like structures would not. Furthermore, phenyl ether-like bridges would be cleaved, while bibenzyl- and biphenyl-like bridges would not. The fact that coal is converted in these basic systems, while bibenzyl and benzyl-phenyl ether are not, raises some important questions about the mechanism of coal conversion. On tasks to study the role of intermediate and acid-base complexes in hydrogen donor liquefaction processes, we have begun the attempt to reconcile differences between findings in the present work and those of Whitehurst and coworkers. Possible causes of the difference between Whitehurst's results and the present findings are traced to differences between his experimental procedures and those used in the present work. Future experiments will be directed toward further elucidation of the detrimental effect of pyridine and toward a corollary understanding of conditions that will improve donor solvent conversion.

Research Organization:
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
EX-76-C-01-2202
OSTI ID:
6573475
Report Number(s):
FE-2202-33
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English