LIQUEFACTION OF BEYPAZARI LIGNITE USING NiCl2-KCl-LiCl CATALYSTS. 1. DIFFERENCE IN SOLID AND MOLTEN SALT CATALYSIS

ABSTRACT

Liquefaction of Beypazan lignite in tetralin using NiCl₂-KCl-LiCl (14:36:50 molar percentages) as catalyst was investigated. Effects of the catalyst/lignite ratio and temperature were determined in experiments done at 275°C, 300°C and 360°C. Liquid products were separated into oils, asphaltenes and asphaltols by a solvent extraction method. Yield of liquefaction increased with temperature in all experiments, the highest yield was observed in experiments performed at the eutectic temperature of the catalyst mixture. The highest yields of oils were 20% and 30% with a catalyst/coal ratio of 0.5 at 275°C and 300°C, respectively. The activity of the catalyst increased in experiments in which the catalyst was molten. The yield of asphaltenes were not affected with increases in the catalyst/coal ratio in the experiments done at 275°C or 300°C in which the catalyst mixtures were in solid state. Asphaltene yields decreased from 25% to less than 5% with increasing values of catalyst/coal ratio and the asphaltol yields remained constant at 10% between catalyst/coal ratios of 0.25 and 1.00 and suddenly increased to 30% and 40% for catalyst/coal ratios of 1.50 and 2.00, respectively, at 360°C. The molecular weights of the oils decreased from 340 to a minimum value of 245 as the catalyst/coal ratio was increased from 0 to 1.00 in experiments done at 360°C where the catalyst was molten. As the catalyst/coal ratio was further increased from 1.00 to 2.00 the molecular weight increased to 310.It seemed that the N1Cl₂-KCl-LiCl catalyst mixture in all catalyst/coal ratios was more efficient in molten phase than it was used as a solid mixture.     

SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACTION AND DESULPHURIZATION OF BEYPAZARI LIGNITE BY ETHYL ALCOHOL/NaOH TREATMENT 2. KINETICS

The reaction of Beypazari lignite with ethyl alcohol/NaOH was carried out using a microreactor of 15 ml capacity. The microreactors were developed to examine the reaction kinetics of coal extraction and desulphurization under supercritical conditions. The experimental temperature in the microreactor was adjusted to 245°C, 275°C and 295°C. The duration of the experiments was changed between 0 to 90 minutes.

The solubilization of Beypazari lignite increased sharply from 15% to 50% within 30 minutes after the temperature reached to 245°C and gradually decreased from 50% to 48% in 90 minutes. The total sulphur (pyritic and organic) content of the acid washed lignite decreased from 3.78% to 2.50% in the first 10 minutes and insignificant changes were observed at longer durations. The percentage of the pyritic sulphur remained constant at about 0.25% throughout the experiments. As the temperature was increased from 245°C to 295°C the time for steady state decreased from 32 minutes to 21 minutes. Solubilities obtained in the steady state for experiments at 245°C, 275°C and 295°C were 50%, 52% and 60%, respectively. The order of the reaction changed between 0.85-0.89 for experiments run at 245°C, 275°C and 295°C. The activation energy of the solubilization reaction for the interaction of Beypazari lignite with ethyl alcohol/NaOH system was calculated as 28.8 kcal/mole. As the reaction time is increased from 18 minutes up to 90 minutes the infrared spectra became more complex and both the number of the peaks due to sulphur groups and the intensity of these peaks increased. When the temperature was increased from 245°C to 295°C the average molecular weight of the liquid products increased from 465 to 550.     

ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF ASPHALTENES FROM COAL LIQUEFACTION

The elemental composition (C, H, N, S, O) of asphaltenes isolated from coal liquefaction experiments carried out at different temperatures and tetralin/coal ratios has been determined. The liquefaction experiments were conducted in a 250 ml autoclave, with 10 g of a Spanish subbituminous A coal, for 1 hour, and at 17 ± 1 MPa operating pressure and 400 rpm stirring speed. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes and preasphaltenes using pentane, toluene and THF as extractive solvents. The % S and % O are lower in asphaltenes than in coal, while the % C and % N are higher and % H depends on the temperature and tetralin/coal ratio used. On the other hand asphaltenes % C decreases, and % H and % O increase as the tetralin/coal ratio is raised at every temperature except 475 °C, while % S and % N do not have a clear variation.     

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.     

PRODUCTS FROM FLASH PYROLYSIS OF A TURKISH LIGNITE IN A FREE-FALL REACTOR UNDER VACUUM

Flash pyrolysis of a Turkish lignite under vacuum in a free-fall reactor was examined at a temperature range of 400 - 800 °C. Gaseous products were analysed with an on-line GC equipped with a manuel injection valve. Solvent fractionation was applied to the liquid product to separate preasphaltenes, asphaltenes and oils fractions. Two particle distributions of the lignite were used: -0.315+0.2 mm and -0.1 mm. The liquid yield increased with temperature up to 650 °C and, thereafter decreased for the larger particles. The maximum liquid yield, excluding pyroltic water, was found to be 8 % wt (dal) at 650 °C. In the case of the smaller particles the liquid yield increased steadily with temperature and the yield of liquid, excluding pyrolytic water, was 5.9 % wt (da) at 850 °C. The gaseous product yield also increased with temperature for both size fractions, and CO and CO₂ in the gaseous products were present in large amounts.     

DIRECT HYDROGENATION OF A SPANISH LOW RANK COAL. THE EFFECT OF PROCESS VARIABLES

The effect of operating conditions on the liquefaction behaviour of a Spanish lignite was studied using a 250 ml stirred autoclave, and the following operating conditions (except otherwise specified): 400 °C, 1 hour, 3.5 MPa initial (cold) H₂ pressure, 400 rpm and 40 g/10 g tetralin/coal charge. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes, preasphaltenes and solid residue using pentane, toluene and THF as extractive solvents

The influence of temperature was explored in the 300-475 °C range, observing little further improvement in liquefaction yields over 400 °C, and retrogressive reactions over 450 °C. The effect of time was studied from 0 to 180 minutes and was concluded that 1 hour is an appropriate period for liquefying a black lignite, since there is little further conversion for longer times. The influence of pressure and gas type was studied using 0, 3.5 and 7.0 MPa initial (cold) pressure of H₂ and of N₂, and the effect of stirring using 0 and 400 rpm. Little influence of these variables was observed, which is attributed to the strong H-donor solvent, high solvent/coal ratio and long reaction time used.     

SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACTION AND DESULPHURIZATION OF BEYPAZARI LIGNITE BY ETHYL ALCOHOL/NaOH TREATMENT 1. EFFECT OF ETHYL ALCOHOL/COAL RATIO AND NaOH

The solubilization and desulphurization of Beypazari lignite with supercritical ethyl alcohol/NaOH was investigated. Supercritical experiments of 60 minutes were done in microreactors of 15 ml at 245°C by changing the ethyl alcohol/coal ratio from 3 to 20 under a nitrogen atmosphere. As the ethyl alcohol/coal ratio was increased the yield of solubilization and desulphurization also increased. Higher yields of extraction in the case of ethyl alcohol/NaOH experiments may be due to the fact that alcohols can transfer hydrogen more easily in the presence of bases. The average molecular weights of liquid products obtained in experiments with ethylalcohol/coal ratios of 3,6 and 20 were 430,450 and 465, respectively. In experiments with ethylalcohol/NaOH system as the ethylalcohol/coal ratio was increased from 3 to 20 the sulphur content of the coal decreased to 0·75%. In experiments with greater ethylalcohol/coal ratios mercaptane type sulphur chemicals have been extracted,disulphides were missing in these extracts.     

VARIATION IN THE CHEMICAL NATURE OF ASPHALTENES WITH THE PROCESS, THE COAL AND THE REACTION CONDITIONS

Average structure data for twelve asphaltenes are reported, based on ¹³C- and H- n.m.r. spectroscopy combined with elemental, molecular weight and functional group analyses. The asphaltenes were from supercritical gas extraction, flash pyrolysis and hydrogenation of a brown and a bituminous coal. The effect of the reaction temperature and, for hydrogenation, the catalyst and solvent on the nature of the asphaltene produced was studied. The asphaltene obtained from supercritical gas extraction of the brown coal at 350°C was the least aromatic (f_a = 0.44) with the highest H/C atomic ratio (1.16) and probably consists mainly of single ring aromatlcs with about half of the aromatic sites substituted. A significant proportion of the carbon in this asphaltene is in long alkyl chains and the hydroxyl content is high. Whereas, the asphaltenes produced by hydrogenatlon of the bituminous coal at 450°C were far more aromatic with more highly condensed but less substituted aromatic ring systems and few, if any, long alkyl chains, together with a lower hydroxyl content. The asphaltenes obtained from the brown coal are less aromatic with less condensed aromatic ring systems but a higher degree of aromatic substitution than those produced from the bituminous coal under the same conditions. The asphaltenes formed at 450°C had lower H/C atomic ratios, molecular weights and degree of aromatic substitution, but higher aromaticities Ohan those produced at 35O°C or 400°C under like processing conditions. The asphaltene produced in the presence of both stannous chloride catalyst and tetralin was less aromatic than when either of these species was absent.     

HYDROLIQUEFACTION OF TEXAS LIGNITE IN COAL- AND PETROLEUM-DERIVED SLURRY OILS

Hydroliquefaction of Texas lignite (68.5%. C daf) was conducted in a batch autoclave under hydrogen in a coal-derived slurry oil at 90 bar initial pressure for temperatures of 380-460^° C and residence time of 15-60 minutes, or a vacuum distillate from petroleum at 435^° C for 60 minutes and initial H₂-pressure of 60-150 bar, or a vacuum residue from the same petroleum at 435 and 460^° C for 60 minutes and initial H₂-pressure of 90-150 bar or tetralin at 435^°C, 60 minutes and 90 bar initial H₂-pressure. Red mud plus sodium sulfide were added as a catalyst for all experiments. Lignite conversion ranged from 50 to 83%. The products were separated into gases, residue, asphaltenes, oils B,P. above 200^° C, oils B.P. below 200^° C. Total liquid products from coal reached 57% in coal-derived slurry-oil, 56% in vacuum distillate and 64% in vacuum residue at optimum conditions with 32% of product oil B.P. below 200^° C in vacuum distillate and 24% in vacuum residue. When coprocessing lignite with vacuum residue at 120 bar initial pressure, 435^°C and 60 minutes residence time the total mass balance presented an oil yield of 73%. with 32% boiling below 200^°C.     

STEAM GASIFICATION OF BALMER COAL IN THE PRESENCE OF LIGNITE ASH

Steam gasification of blends prepared from Balraer coal and the ash from combustion of Onakawana lignite was performed in a fixed bed reactor. The blends were prepared by co-slurrying followed by drying. In the presence of 20 wt % ash the gasification rate doubled at 830° and 930°C. Direct blending of coal and lignite resulted In an overall increase in carbon conversion at 830°C but had no effect at 930°C.     

THERMAL REACTIVITIES OF SOME TURKISH LIGNITES

A DTA study has been made to investigate the thermal reactivities of five Turkish lignites (Elbistan, Ilgin, Karliova, Xangal, Yatagan) in an air atmosphere. The coal samples exhibited thermal reactivity at temperatures starting from 20 °C and continuing up to 671 °C. Endothermic peaks were observed at the lower end of the temperature range, the highest endothermic peak temperature being 146°C for Elbistan lignite. Exothermic peaks appeared at around 260, 360 and 600 °C. These temperatures are considered to signify the release and combustion of single benzene ring structures and combustion of condensed aromatic rings respectively. Corresponding stages are observed in the TGA traces. After correcting for differences in methodology, the overall heat effects measured by DTA are within greater than 90% of the calorific values of the coal samples determined by bomb calorimetry.     

Correlation Between Properties of Asphaltenes and Precipitation Conditions

Asphaltenes from three crude oils were precipitated by using a pressurized system. Different conditions during the precipitation of asphaltenes were studied: pressure was varied between 15 and 45 kg/cm² and temperature between 40°C and 100°C. The effect of contact time and solvent-to-oil ratio was also studied in the range of 0.5-6 hr and 2:1 to 5:1 mL/g, respectively. Asphaltenes properties were analyzed as a function of pressure and temperature. It was found that in a deeper way temperature influences the asphaltenes properties than pressure in the range studied in this work. Asphaltenes properties were highly dependent on the nature of crude oil. Various correlations were developed and experimental and calculated asphaltenes contents and properties were in good agreement with absolute error less than 0.2%.     

RECOVERY OF ASPHALTENES FROM TAR SAND BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION

Many non-oil producing countries are enriched with other sources of energy, for example tar sand, oil shale, coal, biomass, and uranium, that are not fully utilized. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of tar sand was carried out in a batch autoclave at different temperatures. Extracts recovered from SFE were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes, preasphaltenes and gases by solvent extraction. The highest yield) of SFE (24.3 wt % dry basis) from tar sand was obtained with n-pentane/benzene (1/1, v/v') mixture at 655 K. Comparison of the amount of n-alkanes (C1-C4) evolved at 585 K and 685 K shows that the amount of methane is significantly increased at 685 K whereas the amount of C4 alkane is reduced. At 685 K, hydrogen and methane represent 45·1 vol % of the gases evolved from the SFE. The yields of C1-C3 alkane hydrocarbons were higher for supercritical fluid extracts at 685 K as compared to those obtained at 585 K. The quantity of olefines (C₂H₄ + C₃H₆) was found between 5·1 and 10·1 vol %.     

LIQUEFACTION OF ELB�STAN AND YATAĞAN LIGNITES I N CARBON MONOXIDE/HYDROGEN GAS MIXTURES

Thc effects of experimental parameters on the liquefaction yields of Elbistan and Yatagan lignites vcre investigated by using different solvents, guses and catalysts.

In hydroliquefaction of Elbistan lignite with anthracene and creosote oils, higher oil yields were obtained with anthracene oil. Based on this result, anthracene oil was chosen as solvent for further work done with Elbistan lignite. First the effect of moisture in lignite samples vas observed with synthesis gas as medium gas: then, the effect of carbon monoxide/ hydrogen ratio in liquefaction gas mixture was determined using moist lignite samples. The highest oil yield was obtained with moist lignite sample in 3CO/IH₂gas mixture and it was 57.3 % (daf).

The hydroliquefaction oil yields of Yatagan lignite obtained with creosote oil were higher than those obtained in anthracene ail. On Further work done with Yatagan lignite, creosote oil was chosen as solvent. First, the effects of CoMo and red mud catalysts, then in catalyzed medium, the effects of moisture in lignite samples and at last, using moist lignite samples and red mud catalyst. the effects o f carbon monaxide/hydrogen in synthesis gas medium and also, the increase in the oil yield a s an effect of catalyst presence, increased further: the 3CO/lH, ratio in gas medium was suitable for obtaining higher oil yields; and also for obtaining high oil yields, 440°c could be taken a s the most suitable temperature value and the pressure should be increased a s much as technical and economical conditions permit.     

DIRECT HYDROGENATION OF A SPANISH LOW RANK COAL. THE EFFECT OF PROCESS VARIABLES

ABSTRACT

The effect of operating conditions on the liquefaction behaviour of a Spanish lignite was studied using a 250 ml stirred autoclave, and the following operating conditions (except otherwise specified): 400 °C, 1 hour, 3.5 MPa initial (cold) H₂ pressure, 400 rpm and 40 g/10 g tetralin/coal charge. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes, preasphaltenes and solid residue using pentane, toluene and THF as extractive solvents

The influence of temperature was explored in the 300–475 °C range, observing little further improvement in liquefaction yields over 400 °C, and retrogressive reactions over 450 °C. The effect of time was studied from 0 to 180 minutes and was concluded that 1 hour is an appropriate period for liquefying a black lignite, since there is little further conversion for longer times. The influence of pressure and gas type was studied using 0, 3.5 and 7.0 MPa initial (cold) pressure of H₂ and of N₂, and the effect of stirring using 0 and 400 rpm. Little influence of these variables was observed, which is attributed to the strong H-donor solvent, high solvent/coal ratio and long reaction time used.     

SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACTION AND DESULPHURIZATION OF BEYPAZARI LIGNITE BY ETHYL ALCOHOL/NaOH TREATMENT 1. EFFECT OF ETHYL ALCOHOL/COAL RATIO AND NaOH

ABSTRACT

The solubilization and desulphurization of Beypazari lignite with supercritical ethyl alcohol/NaOH was investigated. Supercritical experiments of 60?minutes were done in microreactors of 15?ml at 245°C by changing the ethyl alcohol/coal ratio from 3 to 20 under a nitrogen atmosphere. As the ethyl alcohol/coal ratio was increased the yield of solubilization and desulphurization also increased. Higher yields of extraction in the case of ethyl alcohol/NaOH experiments may be due to the fact that alcohols can transfer hydrogen more easily in the presence of bases. The average molecular weights of liquid products obtained in experiments with ethylalcohol/coal ratios of 3,6 and 20 were 430,450 and 465, respectively. In experiments with ethylalcohol/NaOH system as the ethylalcohol/coal ratio was increased from 3 to 20 the sulphur content of the coal decreased to 0·75%. In experiments with greater ethylalcohol/coal ratios mercaptane type sulphur chemicals have been extracted,disulphides were missing in these extracts.     

SUPERCRITICAL AND CATALYTIC FLUID EXTRACTIONS OF TEA WASTES

Air dried and ground tea waste was subjected to supercritical and catalytic fluid extraction by using water or acetone as solvent at different temperatures. The most important reactions variables were temperature and ratio of catalyst to the solid sample. The yields of the catalytic fluid reaction have been increased from 70.3 % to 92.4 % as the temperature increased from 230 °C to 340 °C by using water as solvent. The yield of extract was obtained from non catalytic supercritical water extraction was about 50.0 % at380°C.     

IRON COMPOUNDS AND C0-Mo/Al2O3 CATALYSTS: ACTIVITY IN DIRECT HYDROGENATION OF A SUBBITUMINOUS A COAL WITH AN H-DONOR SOLVENT

The effectiveness of different catalysts were compared in coal liquefaction experiments using a 250 ml stirred autoclave, 10 g of a Spanish Subbituminous A coal, 1 hour reaction time, 17 MPa operating pressure, 400 rpm stirring speed, at 425 and 450 °C with 2/1 and 3/1 tetralin/coal ratio. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes, preasphaltenes and solid residue using pentane, toluene and THF as extractive solvents. Three iron-oxide containing catalysts: red mud, an Fe2O3 aerosol and Cottrell ash (by-product of the aluminium industry); and three alumina supported catalysts: CMA, which is a conventional CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst, CZMA which in addition contains Zn as a second promoter, and CZMFA which has the alumina acidified with fluorine and also contains Zn, were compared. It has been reported that the addition of Zn and of F enhances the HDS, cracking, hydrocracking or hydrogenating activities of CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts in experiments with pure compounds. The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of Zn and of F has also a beneficial effect in the catalyst activities in coal liquefaction, and also to compare cheap iron containing catalysts with the more sophisticated and expensive alumina supported ones.

The results showed that 1) Catalysts effects depend on the operating conditions used, and that with tetralin, a strong H-donor solvent, they never are very pronounced. 2) The supported catalysts have higher activities in coal liquefaction than the iron ones, but there are no significant differences among the catalysts within each group. 3) Zn, which is a cheaper metal than Co, can substitute succesfully for half the amount of Co and retain the activity of the CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst in coal liquefaction. 4) The addition of F to the CoMo/Al2O3 catalyst does not show a benefecial effect     

HYDROLIQUEFACTION OF TEXAS LIGNITE IN COAL- AND PETROLEUM-DERIVED SLURRY OILS

ABSTRACT

Hydroliquefaction of Texas lignite (68.5%. C daf) was conducted in a batch autoclave under hydrogen in a coal–derived slurry oil at 90 bar initial pressure for temperatures of 380–460^° C and residence time of 15–60 minutes, or a vacuum distillate from petroleum at 435^° C for 60 minutes and initial H₂–pressure of 60–150 bar, or a vacuum residue from the same petroleum at 435 and 460^° C for 60 minutes and initial H₂–pressure of 90–150 bar or tetralin at 435^°C, 60 minutes and 90 bar initial H₂–pressure. Red mud plus sodium sulfide were added as a catalyst for all experiments. Lignite conversion ranged from 50 to 83%. The products were separated into gases, residue, asphaltenes, oils B,P. above 200^° C, oils B.P. below 200^° C. Total liquid products from coal reached 57% in coal-derived slurry-oil, 56% in vacuum distillate and 64% in vacuum residue at optimum conditions with 32% of product oil B.P. below 200^° C in vacuum distillate and 24% in vacuum residue. When coprocessing lignite with vacuum residue at 120 bar initial pressure, 435^°C and 60 minutes residence time the total mass balance presented an oil yield of 73%. with 32% boiling below 200^°C.     

CATALYTIC HYDROTREATMENT OF PETROLEUM RESIDUE

Iraqi reduced crude (350°C+) with a sulfur content of 4.3 wt% and a total metal content (Ni+V) of 141 WPPM was n-heptane deasphalted at specified conditions. The deasphalted oil (97.2 wt% of original residue) contains 4.1 wt% of sulfur and 103 ppm of metal. The original reduced crude and deasphalted oil were hydrotreated on a commercial Ni-Mo-alumina catalyst presulfided at specified conditions in a laboratory trickle-bed reactor. The reaction temperatures varied from 300 to 420°C with the liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) ranging from 0.37 to 2.6 h^-1. Hydrogen pressure was kept constant throughout the experiments at 6.1 MPa, with a hydrogen/oil ratio of about 300 NLL^-1 (normal liters of hydrogen per liter of feedstock). Analysis for sulfur, nickel, vanadium and n-pentane asphaltenes were carried out for hydrotreated products from both the original residue and the deasphalted oil. The comparison of the results obtained for the hydrotreatment of deasphalted oil and original reduced crude indicates that the removal of sulfur, nickel and vanadium was higher for the deasphalted oil than those obtained for the non-deasphalted residue over the entire range of conversion. The exclusion of extremely high molecular weight asphaltenes by n-heptane deasphalting seems to improve the access of oil into catalyst pores resulting in higher desulfurization and conversion of the lower molecular weight asphaltenes. The sulfur content of n-pentane precipitated asphaltenes remained unchaneed with LHSV for various temperature for hydrotreated products produced from both deasphalted oil and original reduced crude.