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U.S. Department of Energy
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Upgrading of coal liquids. Hydrotreating and reforming SRC II process derived naphtha. Interim report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5850650· OSTI ID:5850650

Solvent Refined Coal II (SRC II) process naphtha has been refined in UOP research pilot plants to 100 octane fuel by conventional refinery processing using commercial UOP catalysts. The naphtha is principally comprised of cyclic hydrocarbons. In addition, it contains over 9% phenols and heterocyclic structures, such as pyridines and thiophenes. Hydrotreatment was effective in reducing the sulfur and nitrogen to levels acceptable for reforming. Conditions used were substantially more severe than required to clean up a Middle East naphtha. However, they were well within commercial practice for hydrotreating heavier petroleum distillates. Reforming the hydrotreated SRC II naphtha produced 88 vol % of 99.9 octane (RON) gasoline. Conditions were relatively mild due to the predominance of cyclic structures in the feed. Dehydrogenation of naphthenes to aromatics was the principal reaction. The reforming operation yielded 1550 SCF/bbl hydrogen, about three times the amount needed for naphtha hydrotreatment.

Research Organization:
UOP, Inc., Des Plaines, IL (USA). Corporate Research Center
OSTI ID:
5850650
Report Number(s):
FE-2566-27
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English