Novel electrochemical process for coal conversion
The feasibility of two distinctly different routes to coal conversion at low severity conditions was investigated. An electrochemical approach utilizing both the electro-oxidation and electro-reduction routes was employed. The electro-oxidation route consists of an electrochemical reaction involving H{sub 2}O and coal, leading to the breakup of coal molecules. The observed reaction rate has been explained as a combination of the coal and pyrite electro-oxidation currents. Organic sulfur has been identified as the contributing factor for the observation of more than 100% H{sub 2} production current efficiency with several coal samples. Also, an attractive coal pre-treatment process has been identified which results in production of useful products and simultaneous upgrading of the coal. Electrochemical oxidation of coal with H{sub 2}O leads to the production of hydrogen, CO{sub 2}, simultaneous removal of pyritic sulfur, and significant reduction of ash content. There is also indirect evidence that the organic sulfur may be removed in the process. A preliminary economic evaluation of this process has projected a cost advantage of > $8 per ton of Illinois {number sign}2 coal. A lab-scale cell has been successfully employed in this study for generating process data useful for future design calculations. This study also explored the electro-reduction route of coal conversion and has successfully demonstrated production of liquid products from different coal types at low severity conditions. A variety of aliphatic and aromatic compounds have been identified in the products. Coal type appeared to be the most important parameter affecting the product spectrum. 32 refs., 26 figs., 19 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Energy Research Corp., Danbury, CT (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/FE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC21-87MC23291
- OSTI ID:
- 7161220
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/23291-2780; ON: DE90000432
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHARCOAL
REDUCTION
COAL
OXIDATION
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
DESIGN
AROMATICS
ASHES
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
COAL LIQUIDS
COAL RANK
DESULFURIZATION
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN
HYDROGENATION
PARTICLE SIZE
PROGRESS REPORT
ADSORBENTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
KINETICS
LIQUIDS
MATERIALS
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
RESIDUES
SIZE
YIELDS
010400* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Processing
400400 - Electrochemistry