scholarly journals Homogeneous catalytic hydrocracking processes for conversion of coal to liquid fuels: basic and exploratory research. Quarterly report, September 16, 1978--December 15, 1978

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Not Given Author
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Exploratory Research

A new route to liquid fuels from coal

1981 ◽  
Vol 300 (1453) ◽  
pp. 157-169 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Process Development ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Major Product ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Light Olefins ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Hydrogen Atoms ◽  
R And D

For many decades to come, the transformation of coal to high-grade liquid fuels and chemicals will be a continuing challenge. Chemically speaking, this conversion requires a gradual rearrangement of the carbon and hydrogen atoms and the addition of hydrogen, or the complete transformation of coal into building blocks containing a single carbon atom, and putting them together selectively with hydrogen to form the desired molecules. A catalyst discovered at Mobil will convert methanol, made from such building blocks, into high-octane gasoline. A simple process based on this catalyst produces the final link in a new route from coal to gasoline. A fluidized-bed version of this methanol-to-gasoline process will be tested in a 100 barrels ( ca . 16 m 3 ) per day pilot plant in Germany. A fixed-bed, commercial-size version has been selected by the New Zealand government for the conversion of methanol made from natural gas. This unit will produce 13 000 barrels ( ca . 2100 m 3 ) of gasoline per day. If the catalyst is modified, we can command it to construct basic chemical components such as light olefins, including ethylene, or BTX aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes) as the major product. The emergence of these new conversion processes exemplifies industrial R. and D., which spans the technology spectrum from basic and exploratory research by a few scientists to process development and commercialization involving industries and governments.

Microscopic versus process parameters in heavy-oil upgrading

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 366-367
Author(s):  
V.A. Munoz ◽  
R.J. Mikula ◽  
C. Payette ◽  
W.W. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Heavy Oils ◽  
Synthetic Fuels ◽  
High Hydrogen ◽  
Optical Texture ◽  
Polar Groups ◽  
Anisotropic Character ◽  
Planar Molecules

The transformation of high molecular weight components present in heavy oils into useable liquid fuels requires their decomposition by means of a variety of processes. The low molecular weight species produced recombine under controlled conditions to generate synthetic fuels. However, an important fraction undergo further recombination into higher molecular weight components, leading to the formation of coke. The optical texture of the coke can be related to its originating components. Those with high sulfur and oxygen content tend to produce cokes with small optical texture or fine mosaic, whereas compounds with relatively high hydrogen content are likely to produce large optical texture or domains. In addition, the structure of the parent chemical components, planar or nonplanar, determines the isotropic or anisotropic character of the coke. Planar molecules have a tendency to align in an approximately parallel arrangement to initiate the formation of the nematic mesophase leading to the formation of anisotropic coke. Nonplanar highly alkylated compounds and/or those rich in polar groups form isotropic coke. The aliphatic branches produce steric hindrance to alignment, whereas the polar groups participate in cross-linking reactions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document