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Title: Superacid catalyzed coal conversion chemistry. Final technical report, September 1, 1983-September 1, 1986

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5253008· OSTI ID:5253008

This research project involved the study of a raw comparatively mild coal conversion process. The goal of the project was to study model systems to understand the basic chemistry involved and to provide a possible effective pretreatment of coal which significantly improves liquefaction-depolymerization under mild conditions. The conversion process operates at relatively low temperatues (170/sup 0/C) and pressures and uses an easily recyclable, stable superacid catalysts (HF-BF/sub 3/). It consequently offers an attractive alternative to currently available processes. From the present studies it appears that the modification of coal structure by electrophilic alkylation and subsequent reaction of alkylated coal with HF-BF/sub 3/-H/sub 2/ system under mild conditions considerably improves the extractability of coal in pyridine and cyclohexane. On the other hand, nitration of coal and its subsequent reaction with HF-BF/sub 3/H/sub 2/ decreases the pyridine and cyclohexane extractability. Study of model compounds under conditions identical with the superacidic HF/BF/sub 3//H/sub 2/ system provided significant information about the basic chemistry of the involved cleavage-hydrogenation reactions.

Research Organization:
University of Southern California, Los Angeles (USA). Loker Hydrocarbon Research Inst.
Sponsoring Organization:
U. S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-83PC60810
OSTI ID:
5253008
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/60810-T10; ON: DE86015045
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English