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Enhanced coal liquefaction by low severity catalytic reactions: Technical progress report for the period August to November 1986

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7055546

The broad objective of the program is to examine the potential and limitations of temperature-staged catalytic hydrogenation. Specifically, experiments are planned to investigate the chemical reactions which occur during the low- and high-severity stages, the effects of coal rank and process conditions, the functions of catalysts and influence of solvent donor capability. Initial experiments were conducted on a subbituminous coal using tetralin or naphthalene as a solvent, at conditions of low and high severity and in a temperature-staged sequence. At low severity (275 C), none of the variables appeared to have an appreciable effect on conversion level or product. However, little conversion of tetralin to naphthalene took place in the presence of MoS/sub 2/ catalyst, in either a hydrogen or nitrogen atmosphere. Apparently, under these reaction conditions, an external source of hydrogen is not required. Reaction variables had greater influence under conditions of high severity (425 C). The catalyst is more efficient at promoting the transfer of hydrogen to the coal than the H-donor, has a substantial effect upon yield in the hydrogen + tetralin system, and may be able to promote the transfer of hydrogen from tetralin in the absence of a hydrogen atmosphere. The extent of the influences of reaction variables were less pronounced in temperature-staged reactions than in single-stage high severity reactions, although performance in the former was far superior. Although not apparent in the results of a single-stage low-severity run, it seems that subtle structural changes have taken place which will have a significant effect during the second stage. 3 refs., 5 tabs.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Coal Research Section
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-86PC90910
OSTI ID:
7055546
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90910-1; ON: DE87003427
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English