Peter N. Kuznetsov, Jan Bimer, Piotr D. Salbut, Evgeny D. Korniyets, Ludmila I. Kuznetsova and Colin E. Snape
Institute of Chemistry and Chemico-Metallurgical Processes, 42 K. Marx Str., Krasnoyarsk 660049, Russia
Institute of Organic Chemistry, 44 Kasprzaka Str., Warszawa 01-224, Poland
University of Strathclyde, Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Str., Glasgow G1 1XL, UK
Abstract
Kansk-Achinsk brown coal hydrogenation and swelling in tetralin, in low molecular alcohols, in other solvents and in binary mixtures were studied. Tetralin was found to be the most effective liquefaction solvent, but methanol and ethanol were the active ones in coal swelling. Synergistic effects were observed when the mixtures of tetralin and methanol or ethanol were used for liquefaction and swelling. The effect of binary solvents was shown to be due to the ability of alcohol components to cause brown coal to swell improving the availability of the fragments of coal matter for the reactive hydrogen donor tetralin molecules."
First, perhaps needless to say, Methanol, too, can be manufactured from coal. And, it can also, like Ethanol, but through a different process, be manufactured from biological raw materials, primarily cellulose.
And, note especially the statement: "Synergistic effects were observed when the mixtures of tetralin and methanol or ethanol were used for liquefaction and swelling."
Though not directly stated, we suspect the alcohols provide additional Hydrogen, beyond that supplied by the Tetralin, for the hydrogenation of the coal's carbon into liquid hydrocarbons.
In any case, the use of bio-derived alcohol both enhances the conversion of coal into liquid fuels and chemicals, and, provides a productive route for the recycling of atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.
It's about time we started taking advantage of this synergy to help supply our needs for energy, isn't it?