http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/factsheets/project/Proj410.pdf
As follow up on our two most recent dispatches concerning the US Government's, via the DOE and the EPA, development of a knowledge base and technologies for the conversion Coal, via Methane, into clean burning liquid fuels, we submit the enclosed and attached from the USDOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory.
We have earlier reported on this Arizona project, citing other sources, with respect to their use of algae to reclaim and recycle any Carbon Dioxide not returned to the process stream.
It confirms that Methane, which can be used to recycle Carbon Dioxide, via Tri-reforming technology, into liquid hydrocarbons; or, as we've documented, to improve the processes of Coal liquefaction, can, itself, be synthesized from Coal via hydrogasification.
In this study, it appears the researchers used elemental hydrogen, which can be obtained through the electrolysis of water, for the hydrogasification process. However, other research we've cited previously and will cite further, suggests that both steam and biological matter can be employed as hydrogen donors in such coal hydrogasification.
What we find most notable about this report is that it reaffirms information we've earlier documented: Some processes of Coal gasification can be designed so as to yield not only Substitute, or Synthetic, Natural Gas, which can be further catalyzed, as per other of our reports, into liquid fuels; but, in a "co-generation" design, electricity, as well, thus making this coal-use technology doubly productive.
Some excerpts:
"Development of a Hydrogasification Process for Co- Production of Substitute Natural Gas ( SNG) and Electric Power from Western Coals
Description
In the next two decades, electric utilities serving the Western United States must install 60 gigawatts (GW) of new electric power generation to meet new loads, making the selection of technology for the next generation of electric power plants of the utmost importance. Future natural gas price increases and potential natural gas shortages create significant risk of high cost and unreliability for natural gas-fired power plants. Arizona Public Service (APS) is developing and evaluating a system for co-producing substitute
natural gas (SNG) and electricity via a coal hydrogasification process. Their Advanced Hydrogasification Process (AHP) is currently envisioned as an integrated process for the co-production of SNG, biofuel, and electrical power from western coals. In the process, western coal is gasified using hydrogen as the reactant gas instead of oxygen (i.e., hydrogasification). By hydrogasifying the coal at high pressure and moderate
temperatures (nominal 1,000 pounds per square inch absolute [psia] and 1,600 °F)a high methane-content syngas will be produced directly in the gasifier, perhaps eliminating the need for a downstream methanation process. SNG from the hydrogasifier will be cleaned, dried, compressed, and injected into the El Paso natural gas pipeline system. Unconverted coal from the gasifier will be withdrawn and sent to a low-pressure,
oxy-combustion process to produce electricity.
A portion of the carbon dioxide (CO2) Proposed APS Advanced Hydrogasification Process stream from the combustion process will be compressed and recycled to convey the coal into the hydrogasifier. The remainder will be fed to an algae farm that consumes, or reutilizes, the CO2 from the process. Algae can be used as an additional fuel source or as a feedstock for biodiesel fuel production.
The primary project goal is to develop a commercially viable, advanced gasification process that will produce pipeline-quality SNG and electricity from western coals ... .
(Well, one is almost compelled to ask: What about eastern coals? - JtM)
Benefits
Today’s electric power generation infrastructure has grown highly dependent on natural gas. Given the vast coal resources of the United States, efficient production of SNG from coal offers supply and price stability.
SNG has the advantages of being a hydrogen carrier, easily stored, a fuel source for existing Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power production, and easily transported in an existing nationwide natural
gas pipeline network."
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Not to mention the possibilities, to belabor the points, that SNG Methane can be used to recycle Carbon Dioxide into higher hydrocarbons; it can be catalytically condensed into liquid fuels; and, it can be combined with more coal, to make more complex hydrocarbons, in an advanced and improved hydrogasification process - all as we have documented and will continue to document.
Although this project, which is demonstrating the ability of coal to provide us with both more versatile fuels and electric power, seems to be funded primarily by the State of Arizona, it has been studied and reported on by the USDOE/NETL.