Process for producing high purity hydrogen from hydrocarbon gas and steam
As we have reported, supplemental Hydrogen is required in processes intended to fully convert Coal, which is mostly Carbon, into Hydrocarbons which can then be refined into liquid and gaseous fuels; and, into raw materials for Plastics, and other chemicals, manufacturing.
As we have also reported, various technologies have been invented and implemented to provide that supplemental Hydrogen; including the use of, in direct Coal conversion technologies, such as WVU's "West Virginia Process", hydrogen-donor solvents.
As we have further documented, supplemental Hydrogen, for indirect Coal conversion technologies, wherein a highly-carbonaceous synthesis gas is first generated from Coal, can be directly produced, as an integral function of the overall conversion process, through reactions between Steam and hot Coal.
That last fact is herein affirmed by Consolidation Coal Company, and their highly-accomplished Coal conversion scientist, Everett Gorin; and, our United States Government, in:
"United States Patent 3,188,179 - Producing Hydrogen from Hydrocarbon Gas and Steam
Date: June, 1965
Inventor: Everett Gorin
Assignee: Consolidation Coal Company, Pittsburgh
Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the conversion of coal into hydrocarbons. More particularly, this invention relates to a process for the conversion of coal to hydrocarbons suitable for conversion to gasoline in a conventional gasoline refining plant.
I have now developed an economic process for the conversion of coal to gasoline. Via the process of my invention, gasoline may be obtained from coal at a cost of less than about 14 cents per gallon.
Normally, a substantial amount of high purity hydrogen is required to convert coal to gasoline ... .
(Herein) ... a novel economic process for continuously producing high purity hydrogen is described. I have found that this hydrogen production is usually applicable for integration with a particular coal conversion process whereby coal may be economically converted to ... gasoline.
The primary objective of this invention is to provide an economic process for converting coal to gasoline wherein the hydrogen utilized therein is produced from by-products obtained from individual unit process steps in the coal conversion process."
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We'll conclude our direct excerpts here. Gorin goes on to explain the particulars of how Steam is reacted with a portion of the Coal-derived raw syngas over a catalyst bed to generate Hydrogen for enrichment of additional syngas.
And, using Consol's US-patented technology, we could have, in 1965, as our US Government's expert patent examiners affirmed through their award of this patent, started making Gasoline, from our own domestic Coal, at a cost of 14 cents per gallon.
We don't know what that would be jacked up to now, a half-century later: a buck? Maybe two?
What are we paying at the pump now, for gasoline made from foreign, imported OPEC crude?
Anybody got any good answers to the questions the answers to those two questions might inspire?
