First, the excerpt; with comment following:
"Title: Direct Production of Methane and Benzene from Coal
Authors: Pelofsky, A.L., Greene, M.I., Ladelfa, C.J.
Affiliation: Cities Service R&D Co., Cranbury, NJ
Publication: Energy Communications, vol. 3, no. 3, 1977, pp 253-272
Date: 1977
Abstract: Experimental data obtained when processing a North Dakota lignite in a bench-scale experimental system utilizing the Cities Service flash hydrogenation process for the production of hydrocarbons from coal are reported. Pulverized coal particles are heated rapidly with hot hydrogen. The hydrogenation reaction has a 50-900 millisecond residence time and occurs at commercially feasible reactor pressures (500-3000 PST). Volatile products are rapidly quenched to prevent decomposition. Carbon conversions of 80% have been obtained, with liquid yields of as high as 16%. The liquid product is essentially 94% pure benzene; the gas obtained is primarily methane and ethane."
In 1977, this New Jersey oil company demonstrated that low-grade coal, lignite, could be converted at a rate of 80% into gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, very quickly - less than a second - and at "commercially feasible reactor pressures".
"Benzene", which was generated in a nearly pure form, though toxic, has applications as a raw material in plastics and other organic chemical synthesis.
By far the major part of the carbon in the lignite coal was converted into methane and ethane. Both are hydrocarbon gases which can be, through established processes, converted into their liquid alcohol counterparts, methanol and ethanol. Both of those alcohols - through known, and even commercialized, processes we have earlier reported to you, such as the"MTG", methanol-to-gasoline, Process owned by Exxon-Mobil - can be converted into gasoline.
And, interestingly, in 1977, Cities Service had a named process: the "Cities Service flash hydrogenation process for the production of hydrocarbons from coal" to convert coal into useful hydrocarbons.
In 1982, Cities Service, the developers of this coal conversion technology, were acquired by the oil giant, Occidental Petroleum. We thus need not wonder why we haven't heard of their "Flash Hydrogenation" process - yet another technology for converting abundant coal into needed fuels that is available; and, which could help the United States to achieve some level of domestic fuel self-sufficiency; thereby freeing herself of overseas drains on her economy, and costly, unwelcome military obligations to foreign regimes that are not, in the first place, all that friendly to her.