An economic study for the co-generation of liquid fuel and hydrogen from coal and municipal solid waste
We've previously reported on the coal-to-liquid development efforts underway at Auburn University, a member, with WVU and other schools, of the Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science. They, too, are examining the potential for enhancing the conversion of coal into liquid fuels, and the generation of Hydrogen, by combining coal with other available materials, including various wastes.
The technical details seem well-established. We can convert coal, and some wastes, especially cellulose and certain plastics, into components from which we can synthesize liquid fuels compatible with our current transportation fleet and infrastructure. That has been, without question, proven.
Now, it seems, one focus of research is on the economics of performing those conversions.
The excerpt:
"Anthony Warren and Mahmoud El-Halwagi
Chemical Engineering Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a new process for co-liquefying coal and plastic wastes. This assessment is based on incorporating recent experimental data on plastic/coal liquefaction within a conceptual process framework. A preliminary design was developed for two process configurations. The primary difference between the configurations is the source of hydrogen (coal versus cellulosic waste). The assessment was based on co-liquefying 720 tons per day of plastic waste with an equivalent amount of coal on a weight basis. The plant products include hydrocarbon gases, naphtha, jet fuel and diesel fuel. Material and energy balances along with plant-wide simulation were conducted for the process. Furthermore, the data on plastic-waste availability, disposal and economics have been compiled. The results from the economic analysis identify profitability criteria for gross profit and thus return on investment based on variable conversion, yield and tipping fee for plastic waste processed."
These Auburn researchers appear to have addressed some narrow concerns, and no real conclusions are presented. But, the fact that such specific economic assessments have been, and are being, performed attests to the practical reality of coal, and waste, conversion to liquid fuels, just as much as does the research and development being conducted on a broad scale into the technical details of the process.
