Exploratory Research on Novel Coal Liquefaction Concept. July 1 through September 30, 1996

Activities this quarter were conducted under Tasks 2, 3, and 5. Task 2 work continued to evaluate the effects of low-severity, first-stage reaction conditions on coal conversions of lignite and subbituminous coal. Solvent type, solvent-to-dry-coal ratio, and substitution of CO and CO/methanol for hydride ion reagents were investigated in microautoclave tests. Large quantities of first-stage product were made using the one-liter reactor for subsequent filtration and catalytic upgrading tests. Filtration was performed on three one- liter autoclave products; each one requiring different filtration conditions. A second-stage catalytic upgrading parametric study was completed. In Task 3, designs were completed for both the large-scale filtration apparatus and the large-scale second-stage catalytic reactor system