United States Patent: 4340503
As a foreword to this United States Patent for condensing Coal-derived syngas into liquid hydrocarbons, we submit an excerpt taken from the Patent's formal Background explanation:
"Since the combined action in 1973 by OPEC which has resulted in a 500% increase in the cost of crude oil, the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction has become more important. In countries with cheap coal, such as South Africa, Australia and even portions of the United States, the synthesis of fuel from coal can be economical today and will become more economical as OPEC continues to raise crude oil prices."
What's changed?
OPEC is still taking, to our economic detriment, "combined action ... to raise crude oil prices"; or, at least is taking action to keep them as high as they can.
And, South Africa still is, as they were in 1982, making liquid fuels out of Coal.
And, we're still not.
Why we're still not, is a question that someone really should start asking, especially since the improved Coal-to-Liquid conversion technology herein described was invented and patented by US Government scientists working in Pittsburgh, PA's USDOE Energy Technology Center; and, the rights to the technology are, as a consequence, owned by our US Government, as in this additional preview:
"The invention described herein was made in the course of, or under, a contract with the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY."
Additional comment follows excerpts from:
"United States Patent 4,340,503 - Catalyst for Converting Synthesis Gas to Light Olefins
Date: July, 1982
Inventors: V.U. Rao and Robert Gormley
Assignee: The United States of America
Abstract: A catalyst and process for making same useful in the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide in which a silicalite support substantially free of aluminum is soaked in an aqueous solution of iron and potassium salts wherein the iron and potassium are present in concentrations such that the dried silicalite has iron present in the range of from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight and has potassium present in an amount not less than about 0.2 percent by weight, and thereafter the silicalite is dried and combined with amorphous silica as a binder for pellets, the catalytic pellets are used to convert synthesis gas to C2 - C-4 olefins.
Where substitutes for motor fuels are desired, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts have been developed which produce high yields of paraffin-like hydrocarbons having boiling points in the range of between approximately 30 and 180 degrees C. including 5 to 10 carbon atoms in the molecule.
In order to produce the C2 -C4 olefins without simultaneously producing large quantities of the corresponding paraffins, new catalysts must be developed which selectively produce the short chain olefins and simultaneously suppress or reduce the production of short chain paraffins.
In some countries as in the Federal Republic of Germany, the substitution of feedstock for the chemical industry rather than the production of fuel is the purpose behind increased research and development for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis."
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We'll close our excerpts here, by repeating and reorganizing some highlights to emphasize the real purpose of this patented technology:
"Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts" already had "been developed", in places like South Africa to "produce high yields of paraffin-like hydrocarbons" for liquid fuels. And, the patented technology disclosed herein was developed, "as in the Federal Republic of Germany", to synthesize "feedstock for the chemical industry" as opposed to only "the production of fuel".
We can do either one; or, since we have enough of it, we can do both, with Coal.
Why aren't we yet, nearly 30 years after this patent, by and to our own US Government, was issued, doing either?