Perspectives on coal liquefaction: a mix of politics, chemistry and economics

Journal Article · · Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6334759

Orchin, M

Synthetic fuels based on direct hydrogenation of coal is today at a stage that parallels the one which existed in this country about thirty years ago. At that time, a Synthetic Fuels Act was in place, and the Bureau of Mines had successfully operated a small (200 BPD) coal hydro plant based on the technology practiced by the Germans in WWII. In 1948, petroleum was selling for $2.10 per barrel and the Bureau of Mines estimated that its cost of producing gasoline from coal (12 cents per gallon) was competitive with gasoline from petroleum. However, the synfuels program was shut down in April 1953 in the first month of the Eisenhower administration. Today, an Energy Security Act is in place and improved technologies for the direct liquefaction of coal are available for producing gasoline from coal at a price almost competitive with that from petroleum.

• Research Organization: Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
• OSTI ID: 6334759
• Journal Information: Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States), Journal Name: Energy (Stamford, Conn.); (United States) Vol. 7:4; ISSN ENGYD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
010500 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Products & By-Products
015000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
CHEMISTRY
COAL LIQUEFACTION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SECURITY ACT
FUELS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
LIQUEFACTION
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PRODUCTION
SYNTHETIC FUELS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES