Open AccessEXPLORATORY RESEARCH ON NOVEL COAL LIQUEFACTION CONCEPT
Author(s) -
S.D. Brandes,
R.A. Winschel
Publication year - 1998
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/774962
Subject(s) - refinery , liquefaction , work (physics) , coal , task (project management) , coal liquefaction , waste management , process (computing) , process engineering , stage (stratigraphy) , conceptual design , engineering , environmental science , computer science , systems engineering , mechanical engineering , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , biology , operating system
The report presents a summary the work performed under DOE Contract No. DE-AC22-95PC95050. Investigations performed under Task 4--Integrated Flow Sheet Testing are detailed. In this program, a novel direct coal liquefaction technology was investigated by CONSOL Inc. with the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research and LDP Associates. The process concept explored consists of a first-stage coal dissolution step in which the coal is solubilized by hydride ion donation. In the second stage, the products are catalytically upgraded to refinery feedstocks. Integrated first-stage and solids-separation steps were used to prepare feedstocks for second-stage catalytic upgrading. An engineering and economic evaluation was conducted concurrently with experimental work throughout the program. Approaches to reduce costs for a conceptual commercial plant were recommended at the conclusion of Task 3. These approaches were investigated in Task 4. The economic analysis of the process as it was defined at the conclusion of Task 4, indicates that the production of refined product (gasoline) via this novel direct liquefaction technology is higher than the cost associated with conventional two-stage liquefaction technologies