Combined Coal Gasification and Methane Reforming for Production of Syngas in a Fluidized-Bed Reactor - Energy & Fuels (ACS Pu.
 
We've reported that Methane, as can be obtained from the Sabatier-type recycling of Carbon Dioxide, can itself  be converted into liquid fuels; and, that it can, as in the "Tri-reforming" technology described so far most thoroughly by Penn State University, be combined with more Carbon Dioxide to synthesize higher hydrocarbons; and, that it can be employed in processes of indirect Coal liquefaction, wherein Coal is first converted into a synthesis gas, "syngas", to improve the production of hydrocarbons from Coal.
 
Herein, via the enclosed link and following excerpt, is additional confirmation, from both China and Australia, of that last assertion:
"Combined Coal Gasification and Methane Reforming for Production of Syngas
Jinhu Wu, Yitian Fang, and Yang Wang; Institute of Coal Chemistry, Peoples Republic of China
Dong-ke Zhang; University of Technology, Perth, Australia
Energy Fuels, February, 2005; Copyright 2005 American Chemical Society
 
Abstract: The concept of combining coal gasification and methane reforming for syngas production in a fluidized-bed reactor, as a means for utilization of both coal and coal-bed methane was proposed and evaluated experimentally. ... Up to 90% Methane conversion and 70% Carbon conversion were achieved... . For comparison, the results of the gasification of coal ... without added methane were also reported. These results proved the feasibility of such an integrated coal gasification and methane reforming process. Further ... development opportunities were also identified."
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We note that these scientists employed Methane recovered from Coal seams; but, the point is made:
 
Methane - as can be synthesized from Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, as is now being utilized by NASA, and variants of which have been patented by corporate proxies of our US Department of Defense, all as recorded and documented in the West Virginia Coal Association's R&D Blog - can be employed to improve the production of synthesis gas, from Coal, which can then be catalyzed into hydrocarbon liquid fuels.

United States Patent: 4105535
 
We have many times documented the decades-old Coal-to-liquid conversion expertise of both Mobil Oil and their current marriage partner, Exxon.
 
We have also documented that still-carbonaceous residues from some Coal liquefaction technologies can themselves be further processed to extract even more hydrocarbons of utility and value.
 
Mobil herein confirms that assertion; and, by extension, so does the United States Government, via the Patent Office, in this three-decades old US Patent for the conversion of solid residues left behind by the Solvent Refined Coal liquefaction process, which we have earlier documented, and which was developed primarily in the early and middle 1970's by companies operating under contract to the US Government.
 
Further, we believe the technology disclosed in this patent to be based the utilization of coal liquefaction residues, or "bottoms", arising from a Coal-to-liquid conversion technology, the "SRC", solvent-refined coal, Process, developed under contract to the US Government at several sites, including Kentucky and Alabama, by various contractors. They might also have arisen from FMC Corporation's pilot plant operation, for the Government, of the "COED" Coal char oil process, about which we have earlier reported, and regarding which we have further information that we intend to submit. 
 

Direct Biological Conversion of Electrical Current into Methane by Electromethanogenesis - Environmental Science & Technology. 
 
We have, over the months, made many references to Penn State University's "Tri-reforming" technology, as described most thoroughly by Chunsan Song and Craig Grimes, on the faculty of PSU, wherein Carbon Dioxide is reacted with Methane to synthesize higher hydrocarbons of commercial value and utility.
 
We have also made many references to the Sabatier technology, which was awarded the Nobel Prize early in the last century and which is still employed by NASA today, wherein Carbon Dioxide is recycled into Methane.
 
And, we have cited many reports wherein certain microbes, "archeo" bacteria, consume Carbon Dioxide and excrete Methane in the course of their metabolism.
 
We have suggested that the several technologies could be somehow combined into a complete Carbon Dioxide recycling system.
 
As we hinted in an earlier submission, Penn State just might be thinking along the same lines, as they have developed, or have begun to develop, a synergistic technology wherein biology and industry are combined to convert Carbon Dioxide into Methane in an efficient process that could, we submit, be powered by excess generating station electricity.
 

Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information - Sponsored by OSTI
 
We've earlier reported on the Coal Liquefaction research and achievements of Consol, including some documentation of their own "Zinc Chloride" or "Zinc Halide" Coal conversion technology.
 
Herein, via the enclosed link and following excerpts, it is revealed that they were continuing their efforts in CTL technology at least until 1995. Moreover, as in the "Disclaimer" statement, in the copy below, this report evolved from: "work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government".
 
Although we downloaded and reviewed the full report ourselves, it is too large for us to efficiently transfer via email. As with so much of what we send you, we feel it begs reading and review by truly knowledgeable people who could translate and summarize it's import for the rest of us.