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Enhanced coal liquefaction by low-severity catalytic reactions: Technical progress report for the period March to May 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6988162

Impregnated Mo, Fe, or Fe + Mo catalysts were used to liquefy an hvC bituminous coal (PSOC-1948) in the presence and absence of a low-boiling recycle solvent under conditions of increasing severity. It was found that, for these reaction conditions, the bi-metallic catalyst was very active. Reactions conducted in the absence of solvent showed that 1% Fe + 0.1% Mo was much more active that 1% Fe and nearly as active as 1% Mo, based on total conversion and hydrogen consumption. Similarly, liquefaction in the presence of solvent has shown that the mixed catalyst results in consumption of the greatest amount of hydrogen gas and produces the largest conversion of the coal mass to soluble liquids. Comparisons of catalytic liquefaction performed in a one-step sequence at high severity, and in two-step sequences from low-to-high and high-to-low severity conditions, has confirmed that there are distinct advantages in liquefying coal in stages of increasing temperature. The application of polymer theory to the insoluble liquefaction residues and a consideration of total conversion and hydrogen utilization suggest that the various catalytic materials are acting on the coal through different mechanisms. Characterization of catalyst precursor, catalyst liquefaction residues and catalyst remnants found in coal liquefaction residues is continuing. 31 refs., 12 figs., 9 tabs.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-86PC90910
OSTI ID:
6988162
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90910-6; ON: DE88013183
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English