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Title: Novel process for depolymerization of coal to C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons

Abstract

Experiments for conversion of coal to light hydrocarbon gases in a single stage have been conducted in a batch reactor. Experiments were performed at five temperatures, ranging from 440 to 500[degrees]C. A dual-functional catalyst was used, consisting of sulfided nickel-molybdenum supported on alumina, mixed with silica-alumina cracking catalyst. Representative data from those experiments are presented below. They reveal why it appeared necessary to perform experiments in a two-stage reactor system before an optimum prototype system could be designed. In Figure 1, it is observed that the production of liquids from coal, at all of the temperatures presented, occurs rapidly, reaching maximum values in less than five minutes. By contrast, Figure 2 reveals that production of hydrocarbon (HC) gases proceeds much more slowly, and continues throughout the time period of the experiment (60 minutes). Figure 3, containing data for conversion at 500[degrees]C, reveals that the continued production of HC gases is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in liquids, indicating that perhaps most of the HC gases are produced from cracking of the liquids. Figure 4 reveals that, at a temperature of 500[degrees]C, most of the HC gases are in fact produced from the liquids.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT (United States). Dept. of Fuels Engineering
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
6454498
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/89788-T12
ON: DE93014969
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-89PC89788
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; COAL GASIFICATION; COAL LIQUEFACTION; COAL LIQUIDS; CATALYTIC CRACKING; CONVERSION; HYDROCARBONS; SYNTHESIS; CATALYSTS; CATALYTIC EFFECTS; COAL; MOLYBDENUM; NICKEL; PROGRESS REPORT; TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE; CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CRACKING; DECOMPOSITION; DOCUMENT TYPES; ELEMENTS; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUIDS; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; GASIFICATION; LIQUEFACTION; LIQUIDS; MATERIALS; METALS; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PYROLYSIS; THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES; TRANSITION ELEMENTS; 010405* - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction; 010404 - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Gasification

Citation Formats

Wiser, W.H., and Oblad, A.G.. Novel process for depolymerization of coal to C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons. United States: N. p., 1992. Web. doi:10.2172/6454498.
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Wiser, W.H., & Oblad, A.G.. Novel process for depolymerization of coal to C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons. United States. doi:10.2172/6454498.
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Wiser, W.H., and Oblad, A.G.. Tue . "Novel process for depolymerization of coal to C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons". United States. doi:10.2172/6454498. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6454498.
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@article{osti_6454498,
title = {Novel process for depolymerization of coal to C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons},
author = {Wiser, W.H. and Oblad, A.G.},
abstractNote = {Experiments for conversion of coal to light hydrocarbon gases in a single stage have been conducted in a batch reactor. Experiments were performed at five temperatures, ranging from 440 to 500[degrees]C. A dual-functional catalyst was used, consisting of sulfided nickel-molybdenum supported on alumina, mixed with silica-alumina cracking catalyst. Representative data from those experiments are presented below. They reveal why it appeared necessary to perform experiments in a two-stage reactor system before an optimum prototype system could be designed. In Figure 1, it is observed that the production of liquids from coal, at all of the temperatures presented, occurs rapidly, reaching maximum values in less than five minutes. By contrast, Figure 2 reveals that production of hydrocarbon (HC) gases proceeds much more slowly, and continues throughout the time period of the experiment (60 minutes). Figure 3, containing data for conversion at 500[degrees]C, reveals that the continued production of HC gases is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in liquids, indicating that perhaps most of the HC gases are produced from cracking of the liquids. Figure 4 reveals that, at a temperature of 500[degrees]C, most of the HC gases are in fact produced from the liquids.},
doi = {10.2172/6454498},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (0.31 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/6454498
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  • ;
    An envelope of parameter values has been experimentally identified in the authors laboratory, heretofore unexplored, for the catalytic depolymerization of coal which leads to yields of C{sub 2}-C{sub 4} hydrocarbons in excess of 50 weight percent of the coal, in a direct, single stage process under mild conditions. The recycle liquid solvent will be characterized, and is expected to constitute a super-critical phase under conditions of temperature and pressure imposed by the chemistry of the system. Using a special reactor incorporating windows for visual observation, the operation of a catalyst bed fluidized by super-critical, coal-derived fluids will be examined. Themore » capability of such a super-critical, coal-derived fluid to control agglomerization of a strongly caking coal, in the catalyst bed, will be evaluated, and satisfactory control developed. Solvent upgrading of the recycled liquids will be applied as may be required. Finally, a continuous reactor system will be designed, constructed and operated, based upon the information obtained form the experiments identified herein. This report describes procurement of the reactor.« less

  • ;
    An envelope of parameter values has been experimentally identified in this laboratory, heretofore unexplored, for the catalytic depolymerization of coal which leads to yields of C{sub 2}-C{sub 4} hydrocarbons in excess of 50 weight percent of the coal, in a direct, single stage process under mild conditions. The recycle liquid solvent will be characterized, and is expected to constitute a super-critical phase under conditions of temperature and pressure imposed by the chemistry of the system. Using a special reactor incorporating windows for visual observation, the operation of a catalyst bed fluidized by super-critical, coal-derived fluids will be examined. The capabilitymore » of such a super-critical, coal-derived fluid to control agglomerization of a strongly caking coal, in the catalyst bed, will be evaluated, and satisfactory control developed. Solvent upgrading of the recycled liquids will be applied as may be required. Finally, a continuous reactor system will be designed, constructed and operated, based upon the information obtained from the experiments identified herein, as well as from a companion research project, coupled with the extensive experience and knowledge with related systems, as well as information to be found in the current literature. No results are available as yet.« less

  • ;
    Short communication.

  • ;
    An envelope of parameter values has been experimentally identified in our laboratory, heretofore unexplored, for the catalytic depolymerization of coal which leads to yields of C[sub 2]-C[sub 4] hydrocarbons in excess of 50 weight percent of the coal, in a direct, single-stage process under mild conditions. The chemistry observed is fundamentally different from all coal conversion processes, both liquefaction and gasification, previously reported in the literature. The process-derived recycle liquid solvent will be characterized, and is expected to constitute a super-critical phase under conditions of temperature and pressure imposed by the chemistry of the system. Using a special reactor incorporatingmore » windows for visual observation, the operation of a catalyst bed fluidized by super-critical, coal-derived fluids will be examined. The capability of such a supercritical, coal-derived fluid to control agglomeration of a strongly caking coal, in the catalyst bed, will be evaluated, and satisfactory control developed. Solvent upgrading of the recycled liquids will be applied as may be required.« less

  • ;
    Experiments for conversion of coal to light hydrocarbon gases in a single stage have been conducted in a batch reactor. Experiments were performed at five temperatures, ranging from 440 to 500{degrees}C. A dual-functional catalyst was used, consisting of sulfided nickel-molybdenum supported on alumina, mixed with silica-alumina cracking catalyst. Representative data from those experiments are presented below. They reveal why it appeared necessary to perform experiments in a two-stage reactor system before an optimum prototype system could be designed. In Figure 1, it is observed that the production of liquids from coal, at all of the temperatures presented, occurs rapidly, reachingmore » maximum values in less than five minutes. By contrast, Figure 2 reveals that production of hydrocarbon (HC) gases proceeds much more slowly, and continues throughout the time period of the experiment (60 minutes). Figure 3, containing data for conversion at 500{degrees}C, reveals that the continued production of HC gases is accompanied by a corresponding reduction in liquids, indicating that perhaps most of the HC gases are produced from cracking of the liquids. Figure 4 reveals that, at a temperature of 500{degrees}C, most of the HC gases are in fact produced from the liquids.« less