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Title: Recovery of alkali metal constituents from catalytic coal conversion residues

Patent ·
OSTI ID:865081

In a coal gasification operation (32) or similar conversion process carried out in the presence of an alkali metal-containing catalyst wherein particles containing alkali metal residues are produced, alkali metal constituents are recovered from the particles by contacting them (46, 53, 61, 69) with water or an aqueous solution to remove water-soluble alkali metal constituents and produce an aqueous solution enriched in said constituents. The aqueous solution thus produced is then contacted with carbon dioxide (63) to precipitate silicon constituents, the pH of the resultant solution is increased (81), preferably to a value in the range between about 12.5 and about 15.0, and the solution of increased pH is evaporated (84) to increase the alkali metal concentration. The concentrated aqueous solution is then recycled to the conversion process (86, 18, 17) where the alkali metal constituents serve as at least a portion of the alkali metal constituents which comprise the alkali metal-containing catalyst.

Research Organization:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co
DOE Contract Number:
ET-78-C-01-2777
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4459138
OSTI ID:
865081
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English