Coal gasification studies: Part I. Single stage complete gasification of coal using water as the hydrogen source

The complete gasification of coal to low molecular weight hydrocarbons has been achieved in a single stage process using water as the source of hydrogen. Reaction times of one hour, and a temperature of 600°C were required. The reactions were carried out in a stainless steel reactor with iodine or FeI₂ as a catalyst. It is shown that FeI₂ is a catalyst for the reaction Stainless Steel + H₂O → H₂ + Metal Oxide and also for the coal hydrogenation reaction. The apparent excellent reduction efficiency is probably a consequence of the good contact between the coal sample and the catalyst, which at the reaction temperature has a significant vapor pressure.