Catalysts in coal liquefaction

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6892684

Thomas, M G

Currently, catalysts are utilized in coal liquefaction for upgrading of initially dissolved products and refining. Emphasis is on the production of the secondary and finished products only. This function, and the catalysts currently used, is the result of many years of experience in the petroleum industry. It is highly unlikely, therefore, that any major breakthrough for coal liquefaction will be made in terms of catalyst development as long as catalysts are used primarily for these purposes. There are, however, major process modifications that could ultimately result if catalysts were tailored for, and utilized prior to, upgrading in a more integrated approach. Improved hydrogen-transfer functionality is the key to easing temperature and pressure constraints. It is not clear that conventional hydrodesulfurization or hydrodenitrogenation is paramount for the early stages of coal liquefaction, although they are clearly required in upgrading. Other catalysts may be much more effective in transferring hydrogen from the solvent to the coal-derived products. In summary, catalysts are used but are not absolutely necessary for direct coal liquefaction. Current technology utilizes catalysts primarily for upgrading and refining, relying on thermal chemistry for most of the initial reaction. Major process modifications due to catalysis are not likely under this constraint. In the absence of this limitation, we could utilize the effects that catalysts have on the initial chemistry of coal liquefaction, and these effects could provide significant process improvements.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6892684
• Report Number(s): SAND-80-1751C; CONF-810315-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
CATALYSTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COAL LIQUIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DEACTIVATION
EXXON LIQUEFACTION PROCESS
FLUIDS
H-COAL PROCESS
HYDROGEN TRANSFER
HYDROGENATION
LIQUEFACTION
LIQUIDS
PROCESSING
REFINING
SRC PROCESS
SRC-II PROCESS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES