Since today, via separate dispatch, we are sending along report of "US Patent 5,985,178 - Low Hydrogen Syngas using CO2 and a Nickel Catalyst" wherein Exxon explains their "process for making a synthesis gas comprising H2 and CO ... from a feed including ... methane ... and CO2", we wanted, herein, to again demonstrate that, if we want Methane for such CO2-recycling purposes, we can make any of it we might need, efficiently, from Coal.
There won't be a lot new herein, presuming you to have followed our posts thus far.
We have even documented other, similar technologies, for making Methane out of Coal, from Texaco; perhaps one even from the same Texaco scientist.
But, this is a more recent development; and thus, presumably, improved. That, especially so since there is, it seems, an additional benefit, not emphasized by Texaco, in using it.
As we attempt to explain in comments following excerpts from:
"United States Patent 3,951,617 - Production of Clean Fuel Gas
Date: April, 1976
Inventor: William Crouch, CA
Assignee: Texaco, Inc., NY
Abstract: Production of clean fuel gas having a high heating value by means of two interconnected free-flow noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generators. All of the particulate carbon produced in the effluent gas stream from both generators is recovered and burned as a portion of the feedstock in gas generator two to maximize the methane yield in gas generator one.
Claims: A process for the production of fuel gas comprising ... reacting by partial oxidation a liquid hydrocarbon fuel with a free-oxygen containing gas ... wherein supplemental steam is introduced into the reaction zone ... (and) ... wherein the liquid hydrocarbon fuel ... is selected from the group consisting of asphalt, ... coal tar, coal oil (etc., and) wherein the hydrocarbonaceous fuel ... is ... pumpable slurries of solid hydrocarbonaceous fuels e.g. coal, coke from coal, particulate carbon ... in a liquid hydrocarbon fuel or water, and mixtures thereof.
Background: A national dilemma exists as the result of a diminishing supply of natural gas and an increasing demand for it. ... By the subject invention a clean fuel gas having a high heating value may be produced (in a way) to maximize methane yield.
Summary: This is a continuous process for the production of clean fuel gas ... . Optionally, a stream of clean synthesis gas is produced simultaneously with the fuel gas."
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So, from "pumpable slurries of ... coal (in) coal tar (and) coal oil", we can get both Methane, a potentially precious CO2-recycling commodity, as detailed in Exxon's US Patent 5,985,178, noted above; and, "simultaneously", an additional "stream of clean synthesis gas".
Left unsaid is what can be done with such a co-produced "stream of clean synthesis gas"; but, the option to direct it straight into a Fischer-Tropsch, or related, reactor, and thereby make liquid hydrocarbon fuels out of it comes immediately to the front of our minds - as we're personally convinced it was in the back of Texaco's collective corporate mind.
In sum:
If we want and need both Methane and a hydrocarbon synthesis gas which we can catalytically condense into liquid hydrocarbon fuels; and, there would seem to be compelling reasons for us to want such things; then, we can, as herein, make both of them, at the same time, and in the same place, from Coal.