What is Coal Liquefaction?
Coal liquefaction is a process used to turn coal, a solid fuel, into a substitute for liquid fuels such as diesel and gasoline. Coal liquefaction has historically been used in countries without a secure supply of crude oil, such as Germany and South Africa. The technology used in coal liquefaction is quite old, and was first implemented during the 19th century to provide gas for indoor lighting. Coal liquefaction may be used in the future to produce oil for transportation and heating, in case crude oil supplies are ever disrupted. Coal liquefaction takes place in two main stages; coal gasification, and gas-to-liquid (GTL). During coal gasification, air and steam are added to raw coal, which is heated to several hundred degrees Fahrenheit (Celsius). The carbon in the coal reacts with the oxygen and water, producing other gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane. The carbon dioxide is waste and can be vented to the atmosphere; the other gases can be burned or
Coal liquefaction is the conversion of coal to produce synthetic fuels. To convert coal to synthetic fuels, a process has been developed that requires the coal to be in contact with a hydrogen environment at high temperatures and pressures. The major objective of coal liquefaction is to produce synthetic oil to supplement the natural sources of petroleum. Liquid and solid products from coal can be used for fueling transportation vehicles, providing fuels for power generation, and yielding raw materials for chemicals. Coal-liquefaction plants will be expensive, but their products should be very competitive when world oil production declines. Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising technologies in power generation that utilizes low-quality solid and liquid fuels and is able to meet the most stringent emissions requirements. IGCC systems are extremely clean, and are much more efficient tha
Coal liquefaction is the conversion of coal to produce synthetic fuels. To convert coal to synthetic fuels, a process has been developed that requires the coal to be in contact with a hydrogen environment at high temperatures and pressures. The major objective of coal liquefaction is to produce synthetic oil to supplement the natural sources of petroleum. Liquid and solid products from coal can be used for fueling transportation vehicles, providing fuels for power generation, and yielding raw materials for chemicals. Coal-liquefaction plants will be expensive, but their products should be very competitive when world oil production declines.
