Liquefaction tests show promise, but DOE budget promises cuts

Journal Article · Wed Jun 02 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Energy Daily; (United States)

OSTI ID:6845997

Kaplan, D

Low-rank Western coal, abundant in supply but stingy in heating value, could suddenly become a vital ingredient in the nation's energy mix if an Energy Department clean coal project can build on its initial success. TEL-KOL Partnership's ENCOAL Corp. of Gillette, Wy., reported that after 16-days of tests in April, 5,000 tons of low-grade coal were successfully converted into a fuel oil substitute and a low-moisture coal. The Liquids from Coal Process, developed by SGI International Corp., takes the principle behind oil refining-extracting different fuels from one energy source - and applies it to coal. Using high-moisture, low-sulfur coal, the process is designed to produce three fuels: A low-sulfur, high-energy coal; a low-sulfur No. 6 feedstock oil for boiler fuel or refinery feedstock; and a gas byproduct to power the plant. Using computer and sensory systems, the technology determines the coal's physical characteristics, and then simultaneously adjusts temperatures and gas flows throughout the coal bed during processing to create desired co-product combinations. Because of its unique ability to control how much of each fuel is produced, the system can be adjusted to yield more of one particular fuel when market conditions are favorable.

• OSTI ID: 6845997
• Journal Information: Energy Daily; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Daily; (United States) Vol. 21:104; ISSN 0364-5274; ISSN ENDADJ
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010402* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Purification & Upgrading
COAL GAS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
CONTROL
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GASES
LIQUEFACTION
LIQUID FUELS
PROCESS CONTROL
PRODUCTION
PYROLYSIS PRODUCTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES