Coal liquefaction process - Patent 4094765
Although we have documented that liquid fuels synthesized from Coal can be made to be nearly Sulfur-free, with the extracted Sulfur available as a commercial by-product, it turns out that the inherent Sulfur content in some Coal can, actually, also be utilized to improve the process of Coal liquefaction.
So valuable is that surprising bit of information, doubly surprising since we doubt that nearly anyone in US Coal Country had any idea that Coal Liquefaction science had reached these levels of development and sophistication, it has been patented, by, unsurprisingly now, Exxon.
Brief comment follows excerpts from:
Coal liquefaction process - United States Patent 4094765
A coal liquefaction chargestock is first treated with a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas and thereafter subjected to coal liquefaction conditions.
Date: 06/13/1978
Inventors: Bearden Jr., Roby, Aldridge, Clyde L.
Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (Linden, NJ)
The present invention relates to an improved coal liquefaction process. More particularly, the invention relates to a process comprising pretreatment of a coal liquefaction chargestock followed by coal liquefaction.
Description of the Prior Art
Coal liquefaction processes in which coal with or without a diluent is subjected to elevated temperatures and pressures to convert the coal to normally liquid hydrocarbonaceous products are well known. Coal liquefaction processes in which coal is converted in the presence of a hydrogen donor diluent with or without added hydrogen are also known.
It has now been found that pretreatment of the coal liquefaction feed with a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas gives improved coal liquefaction results such as, coke suppression and an increase of liquid yield."
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The entire patent is lengthy, technical and beyond our scope.
One point to be taken here is that, more than thirty years ago, according to a major petroleum producer, "processes ... to convert ... coal to ... liquid" were "well known".
Not, apparently, so "well known" in US Coal Country.
As a bonus, it turns out that the Sulfur, inherent in some coals, if utilized according to the technology defined herein, "gives improved coal liquefaction".
The good news about coal liquefaction science just keeps getting better, doesn't it?
