Refining the process that refines the coal

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5205374

Whitaker, R; Lebowitz, H

First operated in 1973 to refine a sulfur-free solid fuel from coal, the Electric Power Research Institute's small pilot plant at Wilsonville, Alabama, is now a focal point for research and development in coal liquefaction. The solvent-refined coal process (SRC) is largely free of ash and so low in sulfur content that it can be burned without flue-gas desulfurization. The SRC, while still in the liquid form, is now being investigated as an intermediate product to be further upgraded into liquid boiler and turbine fuels. The segment of the process that is the principal focus at present is the separation of ash and unconverted coal residue from the SRC stream after it leaves the reaction section of the plant. Several techniques to upgrade the fuel have been tested at Wilsonville. The solvent extraction method known as critical solvent de-ashing will be combined with a catalytic hydrogenation unit to produce more liquid fuel as well as low-sulfur SRC in the near future. (SAC)

• OSTI ID: 5205374
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 5:4; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
010407* -- Coal & Coal Products-- Solvent Extraction-- (-1987)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
COAL LIQUIDS
DEASHING
DESULFURIZATION
EXTRACTION
FUELS
HYDROGENATION
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LIQUEFACTION
PURIFICATION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SOLVENT-REFINED COAL
SRC PROCESS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES