United States Patent: 4235044
Among our many reports on Coal liquefaction technology, we have consistently documented the utility of Methane as an "intermediary" and co-reactant in the synthesis of higher hydrocarbons from both Coal and Carbon Dioxide.
In this dispatch, we confirm, yet again, that such valuable Methane can be synthesized from Coal using processes of steam, or "hydro", gasification.
The United States Patent we cite herein to that effect is, we think, especially significant since it might detail one of the processes employed by the invention's corporate owners, the old Union Carbide Corporation, in their operation, as we've earlier documented for the West Virginia Coal Association, of a Coal conversion pilot plant in South Charleston, WV, several decades ago.
Brief comment follows highly-abbreviated excerpts from the enclosed link to:
"United States Patent 4,235,044 - Split Stream Methanation Process
November 25, 1980
Inventor: Harry Cheung, NY
Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation, NY
Abstract: A synthesis gas stream having a H2 /CO ratio of less than 3/1 is split, with one stream being subjected to water gas shift essentially to completion, adjusted with a portion of the other stream to a carbon monoxide content of about 3-6% by volume, and reacted in an adiabatic methanation zone. The high hydrogen composition and high H2 /CO ratio of the stream passed to the adiabatic zone is effectively regulated in this manner, preventing carbon formation and catalyst sintering. The effluent from said adiabatic zone is mixed with the remaining portion of the other stream and passed to an isothermal methanation zone. Carbon dioxide can be removed from the product methane-rich gas or from the methanation feed gas. In preferred embodiment, high pressure superheated steam is simultaneously produced by utilization of the heat of reaction of the methanation operations, enhancing the overall efficiency of the synthesis gas production-methanation operation.
Claims: An improved process for the methanation of synthesis gas ... . ... in which the synthesis gas stream is produced by the gasification of ... coal."
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That, we would think, should be sufficient. We can, as affirmed herein by our US Government, as embodied in the Patent Office, synthesize Methane from Coal.
Once we have the Methane, it can be catalytically condensed into liquid hydrocarbons; or, it can be utilized to enhance raw syngas produced from additional Coal to manufacture liquid hydrocarbons; or, it can be employed in a "tri-reforming" process, such as explained best so far by Penn State University, and therein be combined, reacted, with Carbon Dioxide, to recycle that CO2 into gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons.
If we want, and we need, Methane - and we should, and we do - we can, as herein, make it from Coal.