LIQUEFACTION AND THE CHARACTERIZATION OF COAL DERIVED LIQUIDS OF MENGEN LIGNITE

ABSTRACT

The liquefaction characteristics of Mengen lignite has been investigated in the presence of cobalt-molybdenum on alumina catalyst in a 1 lt batch autoclave system with anthracene oil used as solvent. The experiments were carried out in the range of 15–60 atm for initial hydrogen pressure, 360–440°C for reaction temperature, 1–5 for solvent to coal ratio and 0–20% of coal for catalyst loading which were chosen as process variables. Coal particle size and reaction time were kept constant as below 200 mesh and 30 minutes respectively, (Erdem 1987)

The product was analyzed in terms of total conversion, liquid yield and liquid product distribution determined as preasphaltenes, asphaltenes and oils. The oil fraction was further separated by column chromatography while the asphaltenes were separated into basic and acid/neutral fractions. The preasphaltenes were divided into two fractions as carbene (CS₂ solubles) and carboid (CS₂ insolubles). (Inanç 1989)

The oil yield is mostly affected by the catalyst loading which shows to a certain extent that the conversion of asphaltenes to oils is a catalytic step. The selected process variables showed a positive trend with respect to the yield of hexane eluted oil which is the desired product of liquefaction.