United States Patent: 3993457
We have a number of times asserted, with documentation, that Coal-to-Liquid and Coal-to-Gas conversion facilities can be designed and specified so that other materials, including Carbon-recycling wastes, can be used, along with a primary Coal feed, as raw materials for the synthesis of hydrocarbon liquids and gasses.
Exxon, and, by issuance of this Patent, our United States Government, herein affirm that to be true.
As Exxon reveals, we can economically manufacture both liquid fuels and Methane from blended mixtures of Coal; coke; "cellulosic" material - which would include news rags; and, municipal waste.
Additional comment follows excerpts from:
"United States Patent 3,993,457 - Concurrent Production of Methanol and Synthetic Natural Gas
Date: November, 1976
Inventor: Robert Cahn, et. al., NJ
Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company, NJ
Abstract: Methanol and synthetic natural gas are produced concurrently by introducing a carbonaceous material into a gasification zone, and thereafter, passing sequentially the synthesis gas thus formed through a water gas shift conversion zone, a sulfur compound and carbon dioxide removal zone, a methanol synthesis zone and a methanation zone.
Claims: An integrated process for the production of methanol and a synthetic natural gas, which is substantially methane, from a carbonaceous material selected from the group consisting of coal, residua or mixtures thereof ... (and/or) ... coke ... (and/or) ... cellulosic material ... (and/or) ... municipal waste.
The synthesis gas mixture (can sometimes be) too rich in hydrogen for the ... methanol synthesis reaction. This can be remedied by adding extraneous carbon dioxide to the methanol synthesis to achieve a suitable hydrogen/carbon oxides balance ... ."
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There is a good deal more to it, of course. But, what more do we need to know? Better than thirty years ago, our own US Government confirmed, as herein officially, that we can make Methanol and Methane from both Coal and Carbon-recycling wastes.
We might, in fact, even need to, as above, add "extraneous carbon dioxide" to the process - from a smoke stack somewhere in Coal Country?
Once we have the Methanol, as per this Exxon process, ExxonMobil can further convert it, via their MTG(r) process, into Gasoline. Or, we can use it as a raw material in the manufacture of some plastics.
Once we have the Methane, as herein, we can react it with even more Carbon Dioxide, whether or not "extraneous carbon dioxide" was added to the original synthesis process, using a Tri-reforming technology, such as explained by Penn State University, as we've reported, to manufacture even more liquid hydrocarbons.
Really: Just how good does Coal conversion technology have to get before we actually start using it to free ourselves from economic indenture to OPEC; and, to kick-start an era of opportunity and affluence for United States Coal Country, for the entire United States of America?
How good do Coal conversion and Carbon Dioxide recycling technologies have to get before we start talking about them openly, outside the confines of the United States Patent Office, and start figuring out how to get them implemented for the greater good of each and every United States citizen?