Preparation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from carbonaceous solids
One of the issues we have been addressing in our reports is the fact that supplemental Hydrogen, needed for the complete hydrogenation of highly-carbonaceous Coal, to synthesize liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, can be generated as a function of the total Coal conversion process, via controlled reactions between Steam and hot Coal.
Actually, none of our more recent sources has stated that as clearly so far as did a team of West Virginia scientists, in the employ of DuPont; who, more than half a century ago, were awarded a US patent for just such a technology.
Comment follows excerpts from the enclosed link to, and attached file of:
"United States Patent 2,699,384 - Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen from Carbonaceous Solids
January, 1955
Inventors: Luther Perry, et. al., Charleston, WV
Assignee: E.I. DuPont and Company, DE
Abstract: This invention ... is more particularly directed to the preparation of hydrogen ... and gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide (from) coal.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of synthesis gas from coal (which will contain) principally carbon monoxide (and) hydrogen ... wherein the ratios of the constituents can be accurately controlled.
We claim: ... a process for the preparation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by the partial combustion of coal in the presence of steam."
----------
As you will see in a future dispatch, DuPont had plans for such hydrogenated synthesis gas. But, for now, the foregoing serves to confirm earlier of our reports:
If we need a combination of Hydrogen and Carbon to synthesize hydrocarbons, we can produce them efficiently from controlled reactions between hot Coal and Steam - both of which should be fairly easy to come by in the Ohio Valley environs of US Coal Country.
And, we are supposed to have known that, as herein officially, in the very heart of US Coal Country, for better than half a century.
We have the knowledge. Why aren't we using it?
