We have been consistently reporting, and documenting, the fact that Methane can be synthesized via both the Sabatier-type recycling of Carbon Dioxide and the hydro-, or steam-, gasification of Coal.
In those reports, we are careful to note that Methane can be of value in several ways:
It can be directly converted into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
It can be bi-reformed and tri-reformed, as per Penn State University, and others, with more Carbon Dioxide to synthesize higher hydrocarbons.
And, it can be added to processes of indirect Coal liquefaction, wherein a synthesis gas is first generated from Coal, prior to catalytic condensation, to improve the productivity of such Coal conversion.
Herein, via the enclosed US Patent, we submit further evidence attesting to that last fact.
And, in the course of verifying herein that Methane can improve the productivity of indirect Coal conversion, Exxon, and our US Government, also again affirm that Methane can be synthesized via the steam gasification of Coal, as in this passage extracted from the full Claims section, which we present as a foreword:
"10. A process ... wherein said hydrocarbon feed stream comprises a methane-rich gas prepared by the hydrogasification of carbonaceous solids."
So, keep in mind, as you examine our further excerpts and/or, via the above link, the full document, that, when the inventors refer to a "hydrocarbon feed stream", or similar, they mean a "methane-rich gas".
And, such Methane can be made via the "hydrogasification of carbonaceous solids", or, in other words, via the Steam gasification of Coal.
Brief additional comment follows further excerpts from the obscurely, anonymously titled:
"United States Patent 3,929,431 - Catalytic Reforming Process
Date: December, 1975
Inventors: Kwang Koh, et. al., Texas
Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company, NJ
Abstract: Methane and other hydrocarbons boiling up to about 450 F are converted into hydrogen and carbon oxides by reacting the hydrocarbon feed material with steam in the presence of a carbon-alkali metal catalyst ... . The catalyst employed may be prepared by reacting coal, coal char, coke or other carbonaceous solids with an alkali metal or alkali metal compound at an elevated temperature. Such a catalyst is highly effective for the steam reforming of methane and ... is resistant to high temperature sintering and poisoning by sulfur compounds present in the feed.
Claims: A process for the production of a hydrogen-containing gas which comprises reacting a hydrocarbon feed stream ... with steam ... in the presence of a carbon-alkali metal catalyst ... , said catalyst being prepared by heating an intimate mixture of carbonaceous solids and an alkali metal ... .
2. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon feed stream comprises methane.
3. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise coal.
4. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise coal char.
2. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon feed stream comprises methane.
3. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise coal.
4. A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise coal char.
11. A process for the manufacture of a synthetic natural gas which comprises reacting hydrogen with carbonaceous solids in a hydrogasification zone maintained at a temperature and pressure sufficient to produce a methane-containing gas; circulating carbonaceous solids from said hydrogasification zone to a steam reforming zone and from said steam reforming zone to said hydrogasification zone; reacting a portion of said methane-containing gas with steam in said steam reforming zone in the presence of carbonaceous solids circulated from said hydrogasification zone and a carbon-alkali metal catalyst at a temperature below the temperature in said hydrogasification zone to produce sufficient hydrogen to replace substantially all of the hydrogen consumed in said hydrogasification zone, exothermic heat from said hydrogasification zone being transferred to said steam reforming zone by said circulating carbonaceous solids in sufficient quantities to supply substantially all of the exothermic heat required in said steam reforming zone; passing hydrogen produced in said steam reforming zone to said hydrogasification zone; and recovering a portion of said methane-containing gas from said hydrogasification zone.
21. A process for the manufacture of a synthetic natural gas which comprises contacting a hydrogen-rich gas with coal solids ... to produce a methane-containing gas; circulating coal solids ... to a steam reforming zone and from said steam reforming zone to said hydrogasification zone; (and wherein) exothermic heat being transferred ... to said steam reforming zone by said circulating coal solids in a quantity sufficient to supply substantially all of the exothermic heat required to produce said hydrogen ... .
The raw gas thus produced can then be ... withdrawn as a high hydrogen content gas useful in the liquefaction of coal and similar carbonaceous solids (and in) the synthesis of organic compounds ... ."
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'Nuff said?
Via the Steam - which is their intended "hydrogen-rich gas" - gasification of "coal solids", as above, in addition, we submit, and as we have elsewhere documented, to the Sabatier recycling of Carbon Dioxide, we can make "a high hydrogen content gas" - i.e., Methane - "useful in the liquefaction of coal".
And, as a bonus, and as we have earlier documented as feasible and practical for such Coal conversion processes, "exothermic" reactions involving the "coal solids" can produce all of the "heat" energy "required".
We can, in other words, make all the hydrocarbons we need from Coal and Water.
And, we don't need anything, except maybe a little dab of catalyst, but Coal and Water, via the intermediate and co-synthesis of Methane, to make those hydrocarbons.