We've documented that multiple processes exist, which would, if we had the will to implement them, allow us to convert our abundant coal into currently-scarce liquid fuels - needed commodities we allow ourselves to be extorted with by folks who might not really have all our best interests at heart.
Herein we document, through several enclosed references, yet another route for the indirect conversion of coal into direct replacements for liquid petroleum products. It differs from the others we've so far reported to you, and, through it's differences, illustrates even further that multiple, and practical, processes exist which would enable us to supply much of our liquid fuel and industrial organic chemical needs through complete utilization of our most abundant natural resource.
First, we remind you of the volatile gas, acetylene, which should be familiar to any country boy who's ever had to use a "blue wrench", an oxy-acetylene torch, in the repair of a rusty pick-up truck's exhaust system.
Acetylene is yet another hydrocarbon gas that can be made from coal. And, it can be made from coal both indirectly, and directly.
Some old coal miners might still be around who remember the use of "Carbide" lamps underground, wherein water was added to lumps of calcium carbide, resulting in the generation of acetylene, which was ignited by a spark wheel on the lamp's reflector.
Calcium carbide, which, when combined with water, generates acetylene, is made from coal and limestone, both of which WV is blessed with in abundance, as in the following reference:
Herein, we learn that:
"Calcium carbide is produced industrially in an electric arc furnace from a mixture of lime and coke at approximately 2000 °C. This method has not changed since its invention in 1888."
We, of course, get the lime from limestone and the coke from coal, as confirmed in:
"The principal raw materials for acetylene manufacture are ... limestone ... and coal" ... via the manufacture of calcium carbide and it's subsequent reaction with water."
But, technology moves on, and we can now produce all the acetylene we need directly from coal, as follows:
"Plasma process for coal-based acetylene production replaces calcium carbide process.
China Chemical Reporter | June 26, 2005 | COPYRIGHT 2005 China National Chemical Information Center. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group
A series of breakthroughs have been achieved in the plasma process for the acetylene production through coal conversion. Taiyuan University of Technology has established the first lab for the acetylene production through the plasma pyrolysis of coal in China. A lab for the acetylene production through the plasma pyrolysis of coal with the largest power in the world has also been established in the Institute of Plasma and Physics of CAS (IPP). The acetylene production will hopefully no longer use the calcium carbide process in future."
We shouldn't need to point out, but we will, since this horse apparently needs flogged until it moves, that China has been intensively developing coal conversion technologies, even to the point of, it seems, the attempted theft, through the international patent filings we've documented for you, of WVU's "West Virginia Process" for the direct liquefaction of coal, using the hydrogen-donor solvent, tetralin.
In any case, they have developed the technology to obtain acetylene directly from coal.
And, once acetylene is produced from coal, it can be further processed into liquid hydrocarbons, as in:
"Title: Catalyzed conversion of acetylene to higher hydrocarbons
Author: He, Y., Jang, W.L., Timmons, R.B., (Univ. of Texas, Arlington (United States))
Publication: Energy and Fuels; (United States); Journal Volume: 5:4
Abstract: The continuous catalyzed conversion of acetylene to higher hydrocarbons has been the subject of numerous studies. Interest in this process reflects the fact that a successful conversion of this type could serve as a possible alternative source of synthetic fuel. The synthetic fuel possibility is centered on the fact that acetylene is obtainable in industrial quantities from coal and methane. However, as noted explicitly by previous workers, the unavailability of an effective catalyst for continuous C{sub 2}H{sub 2} conversion has prevented development of this alternative fuel route. The present report communicates a dramatically improved continuous flow catalyzed conversion of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} to higher hydrocarbons. This conversion is achieved by using a modified H-ZSM5 zeolite catalyst and a reactant gas feed consisting solely of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} plus water. Using this combination, the authors have demonstrated efficient continuous 100% conversion of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} to higher hydrocarbons for over 24 h at a C{sub 2}H{sub 2} space velocity of 2.1 {times} 10{sup 3} h{sup {minus}1} and a reaction temperature of only 623 K."
So successful is the conversion of acetylene, as can be made from coal, into "higher hydrocarbons", that a US Patent has been issued on the process:
(Note, in light of the above technical report, the "Inventors", and, the "Assignee":)
"Inventors: Timmons, Richard B.; He, Yigong; Jang, Wen-Long
Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the continuous conversion of alkynes to mixtures of aromatics, olefins and paraffins useful as fuels or fuel additives. The process utilizes a shape selective zeolite, modified with a metal such as nickel or cobalt, and requires the addition of a hydrogen containing co-reactant in order to achieve continuous single-step conversion of alkynes to higher hydrocarbon product mixtures
The invention relates to a process for the continuous conversion of alkynes to mixtures of aromatics, olefins and paraffins useful as fuels or fuel additives. The process utilizes a shape selective zeolite, modified with a metal such as nickel or cobalt, and requires the addition of a hydrogen containing co-reactant in order to achieve continuous single-step conversion of alkynes to higher hydrocarbon product mixtures
2. Description of Related Art
The continuous catalyzed conversion of acetylene to higher hydrocarbons has been the subject of numerous studies (Tsai, P. and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987; Allenger, Brown et al, 1988). Interest in this process reflects the fact that successful conversion of this type could serve as a possible source of synthetic fuel (Tsai and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987). The synthetic fuel possibility is centered on the fact that acetylene is obtainable in industrial quantities from coal and methane (Tedeschi, 1982). However, as noted explicitly by previous workers, the unavailability of an effective catalyst for continuous acetylene conversion has prevented development of this alternative fuel route (Tsai and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987)."
The continuous catalyzed conversion of acetylene to higher hydrocarbons has been the subject of numerous studies (Tsai, P. and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987; Allenger, Brown et al, 1988). Interest in this process reflects the fact that successful conversion of this type could serve as a possible source of synthetic fuel (Tsai and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987). The synthetic fuel possibility is centered on the fact that acetylene is obtainable in industrial quantities from coal and methane (Tedeschi, 1982). However, as noted explicitly by previous workers, the unavailability of an effective catalyst for continuous acetylene conversion has prevented development of this alternative fuel route (Tsai and Anderson, 1983; Allenger, Fairbridge et al, 1987; Allenger, McLean et al, 1987)."
We suppose it is, by now, truly gratuitous to note that zeolite catalysts are at the heart of Exxon-Mobil's "MTG"(r), methanol-to-gasoline, process, wherein the methanol is to be, and in China is being, synthesized from coal; and, that zeolites can be harvested in abundance from coal plant fly ash.
They've figured it all out in China and Texas, it seems. When, do you suppose, the news will reach the people who most deserve to know, and to have something done, about it - the citizens of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and the rest of US Coal Country?