Production of hydrogen-enriched liquid fuels from coal
We continue our march, through Consolidation Coal Company's imposingly-large collection of Coal liquefaction technologies, with this selection, from 1964, detailing another process conceived by their prolific Coal conversion scientist, Everett Gorin.
Truth to tell, even to our unqualified eyes, this particular invention reads as, perhaps, somewhat too complicated, and potentially too costly, for practical application.
But, that is something others, who are qualified, should judge; and, judge with an attitude that such a process, as specified herein, could and should be made better.
For us, it is just further confirmation that multiple ways and means do exist, whereby our abundant domestic Coal resources can be converted into the liquid fuels we need; and which we are now dependent for the supply of on various entities whose self-concerns aren't truly coincident with our national best interests.
Comment and further explanation follows extremely abbreviated excerpts from:
"United States Patent 3,117,921 - Hydrogen-Enriched Liquid Fuels from Coal
Date: January, 1964
Inventor: Everett Gorin, Pittsburgh
Assignee: Consolidation Coal Company, Pittsburgh
Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen-enriched liquid fuels from coal.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved process for producing hydrogen-enriched liquid fuels such as gasoline from coal.
Claims: A combination process for the production of hydrogen-enriched liquid fuels from coal."
---------
As we understand the full document, the "combination" involves a first solvent extraction of Coal, using a primary Coal Oil, a technology we have from other sources documented. That liquid extraction is followed by a carbonization of the extraction residues to yield even more products, some of which are recycled for productive use back into the system, again a technology we have previously documented.
And, it is something of a reversal of processes developed under contract to our United States Government; such as in the "COED" Coal conversion plant operated for the Guv by FMC Corporation and Atlantic Richfield, in New Jersey, wherein, as we've earlier reported, a primary carbonization of Coal was followed by a secondary liquid extraction of the carbonaceous residues.
The point, we guess, is that, one way or the other, we can make "hydrogen-enriched liquid fuels from coal"; and, any way we do decide to do it, with Coal, will much likely be far better, economically and environmentally, especially in light of recent newsworthy developments along the Gulf Coast, than the way we are getting those "liquid fuels" now.
The longer we wait to do it, the more new Dead Sea's we'll be creating.