We reveal herein yet another Coal Country institute of higher learning which has demonstrated that, not only can coal be liquefied into the transportation fuels we are in need of, but cellulose, as would be derived from photosynthetic botanical sources, can be liquefied along with coal, to increase liquid fuel yields, and provide an inherent route of Carbon Dioxide recycling, with an element of sustainability tossed in for good measure.
Excerpt as follows:
"COPROCESSING OF CELLULQSIC WASTE AND COAL
H. lung, I. W. Tiemey and I. Wender
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
H. lung, I. W. Tiemey and I. Wender
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Introduction
Paper and other cellulosic wastes constitute more than half of landfill volumes. These
materials could be a significant energy source’; if is the object of this work to find ways of
converting these huge volumes of waste to liquid transportation fuels.
It is well known, of course, that coal can be converted to liquid fuels. There are a
number of ways of achieving this. A major route from coal to liquid fuels is by direct
liquefaction in the presence of hydrogen or hydrogen donor solvents. Experiments have also
demonstrated that cellulosic materials and biomass can be converted to oil in the same way.
.
Summary
Based on an exploratory study of coprocessing of paper and subbituminous Wyodak coal,
the following conclusions were drawn. A possible desirable effect of paper in coprocessing was
observed in both the H,/tetralin/Mo system and the CO/H,O/alkali system at 400°C. More
specifically, the conversion of coal was increased due to the addition of paper in the
H,/tetralin/Mo system, but the quality of the product Seems to be unchanged. However, very
little increase in coal conversion was observed when coprocessing in the C0/H20/alkali system,
while the product quality of coal was significantly improved (more oil and less asphaltenes). No
effect of paper was observed at 325°C in the H,/tetralin/Mo system."
Summary
Based on an exploratory study of coprocessing of paper and subbituminous Wyodak coal,
the following conclusions were drawn. A possible desirable effect of paper in coprocessing was
observed in both the H,/tetralin/Mo system and the CO/H,O/alkali system at 400°C. More
specifically, the conversion of coal was increased due to the addition of paper in the
H,/tetralin/Mo system, but the quality of the product Seems to be unchanged. However, very
little increase in coal conversion was observed when coprocessing in the C0/H20/alkali system,
while the product quality of coal was significantly improved (more oil and less asphaltenes). No
effect of paper was observed at 325°C in the H,/tetralin/Mo system."
First of all, cellulosic wastes would include Intel's and News-Register's, whether post- or pre-reading we'll leave to your many fans to decide. But, "the conversion of coal was increased due to the addition of paper", so your, and other of our addressee's, rags could, one way or another, serve some good purpose.
"Cellulosic material" would include a lot of other things, as well, in addition to "paper", such as algal biomass, as could be grown in bio-reactors connected to a coal plant's exhaust flue, after the bio-lipids, for conversion into diesel fuel, had been extracted; or, sawdust, as we have earlier documented as a raw material that has been researched for liquid fuel conversion potentials.
And, we want to point out that these Pitt researchers are using the hydrogen-donor solvent, "tetralin", as is specified by WVU in their West Virginia direct coal liquefaction Process. We have cited other sources who report tetralin as being an effective hydrogen-donor for the liquefaction of both coal and cellulose.
Another thing: The "subbituminous Wyodak coal" used in these Pittsburgh developments might be comparable in organic content, relative to inorganic "ash", to some older WV accumulations of coal mine wastes, which do contain a lot of organic material, but which were discarded in the old days from run-of-mine product because it wasn't of high-enough bituminous quality for the Pittsburgh and Wheeling steel mills.
Almost finally, though, we have herein reported, by reputable United States researchers, yet another demonstrated process wherein coal can be liquefied into transportation fuels, and, at the same time, Carbon Dioxide, as is generated, for instance, by the combustion of coal to generate electricity, can be recycled through a combination of biological and technical processes into even more liquid fuels.
We do conclude with this quote from the Pitt researchers: "It is well known, of course, that coal can be converted to liquid fuels."