Breckinridge Project, initial effort

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6837858· OSTI ID:6837858

This report presents an overview of the Breckinridge Project and summarizes the results achieved during the development phase of the project performed under a Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of Energy. The Breckinridge Project provides for the design, construction and operation of a 50,000 barrel per day coal liquefaction facility in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. The development of the basic technology used in the Breckinridge Project dates back to the late 1950's and the invention by Hydrocarbon Research, Inc., (HRI) of the ebullated-bed reactor and the H-OIL process. The H-COAL process is based on the H-OIL technology. This coal liquefaction process produces clean low-sulfur petroleum substitutes suitable for most types of hydrocarbon-based fuel and chemical uses regardless of the sulfur content of the coal. A large H-COAL Pilot Plant in operation at Catlettsburg, Kentucky, is converting 220 tons of coal per day into 600 barrels of distillate products by catalytic hydrogenation. The estimated capital cost of the commercial facility is $3.17 billion, and the associated out-of-pocket operating cost is $18 per barrel, both in January 1981 dollars. Financial analysis shows the project to be an attractive investment under certain leveraged conditions which are possible through the assistance of the Synthetic Fuels Corporation. Ashland Synthetic Fuels, Inc. is currently working with the Synthetic Fuels Corporation and potential partners to develop financing for the commercial venture. Critical permits are being obtained and an Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared pursuant to initiating site preparation in early 1983. Commercial operations are expected to start up in early 1988.

• Research Organization: Ashland Synthetic Fuels, Inc., KY (USA); Airco Energy Co., Inc., Ashland, KY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FC05-80OR20717
• OSTI ID: 6837858
• Report Number(s): DOE/OR/20717-1-Exec.Summ.; ON: DE83000177
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
CAPITAL
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COAL LIQUEFACTION PLANTS
COAL LIQUIDS
COMMERCIALIZATION
COST
DATA
DEMONSTRATION PLANTS
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ENGINEERING
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FINANCING
FLUIDS
H-COAL PROCESS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
LIQUEFACTION
LIQUIDS
NUMERICAL DATA
SYNTHETIC FUELS CORPORATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES