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Low severity coal liquefaction to determine reactivity of coals: Technical progress report No. 3 for period 12/1/86 through 2/28/87

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6454982
The objectives of this investigation are (1) to determine the reactivity of bituminous coals for liquefaction using moderate temperature hydrogenation, and (2) to examine the reaction chemistry involved in the moderate temperature liquefaction as a function of reaction time, temperature and catalyst application. The experimental work involves hydrogenation of a bituminous coal at 325C in the absence of a donor solvent and catalyst. Then, the effect of reaction temperature and catalysts will be studied at temperatures between 300 and 350C using two catalysts, FeS2 and ammonium molybdate. The effects of reaction time and temperature on the hydrogenation of an Illinois bituminous coal have been examined. Four reactions were carried out at 325C under H2 pressure of 2900 psig for 1.5, 3, 14 and 27 h. Two additional reactions were conducted at 300 and 350C for 3 h. Product composition changed with the reaction time. The oil:asphaltene:preasphaltene ratio was 2:3:1 in the 14 and 27 h reactions. With shorter reaction periods, the yields of C1-C2 gas, oil and asphaltene decreased to a similar extent, while preasphaltene yield increased moderately and residue yield increased drastically. This product distribution reveals that the coal was converted mainly by a parallel formation of oil, asphaltene and preasphaltene followed by some sequential formation of oil and asphaltene from preasphaltene. IR spectra of some product fractions obtained in 1.5 and 3 h reactions showed strong, sharp absorptions due to aryl-alkyl ethers or weak, well-resolved absorptions due to carbonyl groups. The separation and identification of aryl-alkyl ether groups are of great significance for the structure/reactivity studies. 3 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
Research Organization:
Rockwell International Corp., Thousand Oaks, CA (USA). Science Center
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-86PC90912
OSTI ID:
6454982
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90912-T3; ON: DE87012292
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English