We have thoroughly documented that the technology exists, as explained by Penn State University, and others, which would enable us to recycle the Carbon Dioxide co-product of our coal use by converting it into valuable hydrocarbons.
Penn State's "Tri-reforming" technology posits the use of Methane as a raw material to be combined with Carbon Dioxide to effect that transmutation.
As we have earlier documented, Methane, through established technologies, such as the Sabatier process now being employed by NASA, can itself be synthesized from Carbon Dioxide.
As we have also documented, including in one US study from the 1950's, the Methane required for Carbon Dioxide recycling can also be synthesized from coal.
Herein, Southern Illinois University, in research funded by Japan, confirms that fact, and reports improvements in the process which make it more efficient.
In comments following the excerpt, we emphasize what should be an important point:
"LOW TEMPERATURE STEAM-COAL GASIFICATION CATALYSTS
Edwin J. Hippo and Deepak Tandon
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
INTRODUCTION
Shrinking domestic supplies and larger dependence on foreign sources have made an assortment of fossil fuels attractive as possible energy sources. The high sulfur and mineral coals of Illinois would be an ideal candidate as possible gasification feedstock.
Large reserves of coal as fossil fuel source and a projected shortage of natural gas (methane) in the US, have made development of technology for commercial production of high Btu pipeline gases from coal of interest. Several coal gasification processes exist, but incentives remain for the development of processes that would significantly increase efficiency and lower cost. A major problem in coal gasification is the heat required which make the process energy intensive. Hence, there is a need for an efficient and thermally neutral gasification process.
At the present time, natural gas (methane) reserves are sufficient to meet the demands but projections indicate a dwindling supply in the future. There is a need to develop an economical process for production of methane to ensure a steady supply. Direct methanation of high sulfur and mineral coals would not only utilize this important fossil fuel feedstock but would also be inexpensive as compared to other energy intensive gasification processes.
Catalytic steam methanation of coal is an almost thermoneutral process.
("Thermoneutral", i.e., low energy input is needed to drive the process. - JtM)
The role of the catalyst in coal gasification has been to reduce the reaction temperature and increase the rate of reaction.
Catalytic gasification of coal has attracted much attention recently. ... Catalyst(s) that are active at low temperatures would favor the process of direct gasification for methane production, since low temperature and high pressure favors the formation of methane.
Various oxides, halides and carbonates of both alkali and alkaline earth metals, along with transition metals have been surveyed as possible char gasification catalysts.
Some of the general conclusions drawn are as follows:
(1) Catalytic effect decreases with increasing temperature;
(2) Catalysts are more effective in gasification processes if steam is present in the gasification gases;
(3) There usually is an optimum catalyst loading
(4) Relative effects of catalysts can differ under different reaction conditions;
(5) Gasification reactivity can be effected significantly by the method /condition of catalyst impregnation; and (6) Catalyst impregnation is more effective than physical mixing with the carbon.
... incentives exist to explore the thermoneutral catalytic steam methanation of coals to produce methane economically and in a single reaction.
Catalytic effects on gasification of carbon materials have been studied for last several decades. ... The main objective of these studies have been to improve the process for production of water gas or producer gas. Outside of the work at Exxon, these work, have little qualitative value in assessing the catalytic effects on coal/char gasification for production of methane from steam.
It was the aim of this research to study the catalytic steam gasification of high sulfur, high mineral, agglomerating coals at elevated pressures and lower temperatures for production of methane.
The ultimate goal of this research was to develop a low temperature sulfur resistant catalyst system that would not only be efficient. and economic but would also produce methane in a single step. ... At low temperature operations, interaction of catalyst with the coal mineral phases are less likely.
Exxon catalytic gasification process produces substitute natural gas (SNG) by catalytic steam gasification of coal ... .
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
When potassium hydroxide was used with transition metals significant increases in the conversions were obtained and also the concentration of the methane in the product gas increased substantially.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by a grant supplied by the New Energy Development Organization (NEDO) through the International Cooperative Research Program of Japan. Coal samples were provided by the ... Illinois State Geological Survey."
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Again, we can use Methane, as herein made from Coal at "lower temperatures for production of methane", to recycle Carbon Dioxide, via Penn State University's Tri-reforming technology, into valuable hydrocarbons.
And, we think significantly, this was research focused on refining the technology to make Methane from Coal, since, as in "Exxon ... produces substitute natural gas ... (from) ... coal", some people already knew, and still no doubt know, how to do it.
