A Synthetic Fuels Process
We have, several times, documented the Coal-to-liquid conversion technologies developed by Consolidation Coal, Consol, now owned by Conoco, and their scientist who seemed to lead the effort, Everett Gorin.
In fact, we have documented the Zinc Halide process for Coal liquefaction in a US Patent now held by Conoco, wherein Gorin is named as the inventor.
Herein, via the above link and following excerpt, we further document Consol's, and Gorin's, Coal Liquefaction expertise, in a technical report delivered, if not predictably, at least unsurprisingly, at a venue almost guaranteed to be missed by the US mainstream press.
As we have documented, Consol worked on multiple Coal liquefaction technologies, in addition to those related to the Zinc Halide process. The enclosed article seems to be a report on the progress of development in one of those other efforts.
Comment follows excerpts from:
"Title: A Synthetic Fuels Process
Authors: E. Gorin, et. al., Consolidation Coal Company; Pennsylvania
Source: 8th World Petroleum Congress; June 13-18, 1971; Moscow, USSR
Abstract: The present paper gives a brief description of the development of a coal liquefaction process by Consolidation Coal Company, in which the two major process features are coal extraction and extract hydrogenation. The key to success of the process is integrated operation with recycle of natural solvent generated by extract hydrogenation to the extraction step. Demonstration of such integrated operations on the bench and pilot scales is described in some detail. A considerable discussion is given of general extraction behavior of various coals as affected by rank. Extraction kinetics is also discussed. Various methods of removing extraction residue solids from the extraction effluent are presented. Economics of the overall process are briefly referred to."
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The generalities make it impossible to learn anything truly substantive from the Abstract, although we do call your attention to one, perhaps key, point.
As we have elsewhere documented from multiple sources, some liquids extracted from coal can be hydrogenated and then used as a solvent, serving to enhance the liquefaction and hydrogenation of additional raw coal, as in:
"The key to success of the process is integrated operation with recycle of natural solvent generated by extract hydrogenation to the extraction step."
Raw Coal liquids, as we understand from this, and from other reports we've submitted to the West Virginia Coal Association, can be hydrogenated and then used, recycled, in early stages of the process to liquefy and hydrogenate additional Coal, thereby enhancing the technology with an economic synergy, an element of internal self-sustainability.
In any case, in Russia, in 1971, they heard that a Pennsylvania-based mining company could convert solid Coal into liquid hydrocarbons.
