Abstract: A chemical looping combustion (CLC) process for sour gas combustion is integrated with a gas turbine combined cycle and a steam generation unit, and is configured to provide in-situ removal of H2S from the sour gas fuel by reacting the H2S with a oxygen carrier at a location within the fuel reactor of the CLC unit. The process is also configured such that oxygen-rich exhaust gases from the gas turbine combined cycle is used to feed the air reactor of the CLC unit and re-oxidize oxygen carriers for recirculation in the CLC unit.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus ultimately for converting a carbonaceous material to liquid hydrocarbons suitable for use, for example, as transportation fuels. In a first step the carbonaceous material is converted to a syngas product, and in subsequent steps the syngas product is converted to the desired liquid hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, coal and methane are converted to syngas, and the syngas product is converted to hydrocarbons through a methanol intermediate. An example use for the methods and apparatus of the invention is in the preparation of aviation fuels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuos process for converting carbonaceous material contained in one or more feedstocks into a liquid hydrocarbon product, said feedstocks including the carbonaceous material being in a feed mixture including one or more fluids, said fluids including water and further liquid organic compounds at least partly produced by the process in a concentration of at least 1% by weight, where the process comprises converting at least part of the carbonaceous material by pressurising the feed mixture to a pressure in the range 250-400 bar; heating the feed mixture to a temperature in the range 370-450° C., and maintaining said pressurized and heated feed mixture in the desired pressure and temperature ranges in a reaction zone for a predefined time; cooling the feed mixture to a temperature in the range 25-200° C.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a hydrogenated vegetable oil. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple and efficient method for the self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbons. The method disclosed provides for the deep destructive processing of hydrocarbon chains utilizing hydrocarbon chain decomposition utilizing self-sustaining radiation cracking of hydrocarbon chains under a wide variety of irradiation conditions and temperature ranges (from room temperature to 400° C.). Several embodiments of such method are disclosed herein, including; (i) a special case of radiation-thermal cracking referred to as high-temperature radiation cracking (HTRC); (ii) low temperature radiation cracking (LTRC); and (iii) cold radiation cracking (CRC). Such methods were not heretofore appreciated in the art. In one embodiment, a petroleum feedstock is subjected to irradiation to initiate and/or at least partially propagate a chain reaction between components of the petroleum feedstock.

Abstract: A system for producing petroleum products from oil shale includes one or plural kiln lines made up of plural series-connected, indirect-fired, inclined rotary kilns. Plural kiln lines are operated for parallel processing. Oil shale is advanced through kilns in succession and exhausted from each kiln line substantially free of hydrocarbons. Successive kilns along the advancement of oil shale are maintained at successively higher temperatures. A fuel distinct from hydrocarbons in oil shale, such as syngas from a gasifier or hydrogen gas from a separator, drives pyrolysis to extract hydrocarbons. A refining unit located proximate to the kiln lines upgrades extracted hydrocarbons into petroleum products and separates the petroleum products by criteria. A heat extraction unit recovers heat from exhausted oil shale for reuse in kilns. A method involves drying oil shale followed by heating dry oil shale in successively hotter pyrolysis environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coal chemical processing, and particularly to a thermal dissolution catalysis method for preparing liquid fuel from lignite. The method comprises steps of: 1) crushing and drying lignite into coal powder; 2) stirring and mixing coal powder, a solvent and a catalyst sufficiently to form coal slurry, wherein there are 30-40% mass of coal powder, 60-70% mass of solvent, and 0.5-1% mass of catalyst relative to coal powder mass; 3) subjecting the coal slurry to thermal dissolution catalysis reaction to obtain thermal dissolution liquefied product, wherein the reaction is carried out for 30-60 minutes at a temperature 390-450° C. under a pressure 5.0-9.0 MPa; 4) separating the thermal dissolution liquefied product into gas, liquid and solid phases; and 5) upgrading the liquid product into liquid fuel. The present invention further discloses a catalyst and a solvent for use in the above method.

Abstract: A process derived hydrogen donor solvent is used to increase the maximum resid conversion and conversion rate in an ebullated bed resid hydrocracker. The hydrogen donor solvent precursor is produced by hydroreforming reactions within the resid hydrocracker, recovered as the resin fraction from a solvent deasphalting unit, regenerated in a separate hydrotreater reactor, and recycled to the ebullated bed resid hydrocracker. The major advantage of this invention relative to earlier processes is that hydrogen is more efficiently transferred to the resin residual oil in the separate hydrotreater and the hydrogen donor solvent effectively retards the formation of coke precursors at higher ebullated bed resid hydrocracker operating temperatures and resid cracking rates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting organic material into commercially viable products, such as burnable low sulfur engine fuels. The system of the present invention includes an anaerobic stripping reactor for processing organic materials into a bio-softened slurry, a thermobaric cracking chamber and expansion/separation tank for converting the bio-softened slurry into products, and a hydrocarbon separation system for separating the various products. An interfusion system can be provided that selectively combines various of the products to create fuels, such as diesel or gasoline. In one embodiment, the thermobaric cracking chamber operates approximately in the ranges of 350 to 600° F. and 400 to 1,200 psig. In a specific embodiment, the anaerobic stripping reactor is segregated into three areas to create buffer zones both into and out of the anaerobic stripping reactor, thus isolating a main portion of the organic material from reactive shocks.

Abstract: A process for upgrading a heavy crude oil includes the steps of providing a heavy crude oil; and exposing the heavy crude oil to residue conversion conditions in the presence of a free radical generator and a hydrogen donor, whereby the free radical generator enhances reactions to form distillates, and the hydrogen donor inhibits reactions to form coke.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for converting biomass into C7-C10 alkylbenzenes useful as blending components for petroleum or petroleum derived fuels. The process includes a base catalyzed depolymerization of lignin within the biomass, followed by hydroprocessing of the depolymerized lignin to C7-C10 alkylbenzenes. The C7-C10 alkylbenzenes are useful for enhancing the octane level of petroleum or petroleum-derived fuels, such as gasoline. In addition, the C7-C10 alkylbenzenes are useful as intermediates in the production of numerous organic chemicals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extraction of hydrocarbon products, alumina and soda ash from oil shales including various amounts of such chemicals, all based on solvent extraction of most of the hydrocarbons at temperatures around 400° C. Such enables the alumina and soda ash values to be leached out with aqueous sodium carbonate leaching at reduced temperatures of around 150° C. with a corresponding reduced pressure. The soda ash monohydrate values are precipitated from the leach liquor at around 100° C. with the alumina values precipitated using Co2. Alternatively recycled fine aluminum trihydrate at 65° C. is used to produce alumina. Aluminum hydroxide is converted to acid alumina by an acid recycle stream that dissolves the alumina so any silica contaminant can be filtered out. Basic aluminum sulfate is then precipitated at about 200° C. and 250 PSIG for subsequent calcination at around 900° C.

Abstract: A process is described for hydrotreating a heavy hydrocarbon oil containing a substantial portion of material which boils above 524.degree. C. to form lower boiling materials, which comprises adding to the heavy hydrocarbon oil as solvent a paraffinic, isoparaffinic or cyclic paraffinic hydrocarbon which is also hydrogen-rich and has a critical temperature of less than 500.degree. C. to thereby form a diluted feedstock mixture and subjecting said feedstock mixture to hydrotreating in the presence of activated carbon catalyst at a temperature and pressure substantially at or greater than the critical temperature and pressure of the solvent.

Abstract: An improved multistep liquefaction process for organic carbonaceous mater which produces a virtually completely solvent-soluble carbonaceous liquid product. The solubilized product may be more amenable to further processing than liquid products produced by current methods. In the initial processing step, the finely divided organic carbonaceous material is treated with a hydrocarbonaceous pasting solvent containing from 10% and 100% by weight process-derived phenolic species at a temperature within the range of 300.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. for typically from 2 minutes to 120 minutes in the presence of a carbon monoxide reductant and an optional hydrogen sulfide reaction promoter in an amount ranging from 0 to 10% by weight of the moisture- and ash-free organic carbonaceous material fed to the system. As a result, hydrogen is generated via the water/gas shift reaction at a rate necessary to prevent condensation reactions. In a second step, the reaction product of the first step is hydrogenated.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to refining coal by fluidized hydrocracking employing short residence time volatilization and decomposition of the coal feedstock, with subsequent selective condensation and hydrostabilization without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock, to maximize oil yield and minimize char and gas production. The invention more particularly relates to an improved method of economically producing uniform, fluidic, oil-type transportable fuel systems and fuel compositions and a slate of "value-added" co-products by a coal refining process employing short residence time hydrodisproportionation (SRT-HDP).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a staged process for producing liquids from coal or similar carbonaceous feeds combining a pretreatment stage and a liquefaction stage. In the process, the feed is dispersed in an organic solvent and reacted with carbon monoxide at an elevated temperature and pressure. The so pretreated coal is sent to a liquefaction reactor, wherein the coal is reacted in the presence of hydrogen and catalyst to produce valuable liquid fuels or feedstocks.

Abstract: This invention generally relates a method for increasing the quantity and quality of hydrocarbon liquids derived from the short residence time decomposition and volatilization of coal. The invention more particularly relates to an improved method of economically producing uniform, fluidic, oil-type transportable fuel systems and fuel compositions and a slate of "value-added" co-products by a coal refining process employing a partial quench step as part of a short residence time hydrodisproportionation (SRT-HDP) reaction.

Abstract: A method for preparing coal-derived fuel compositions while simultaneously producing electricity by utilizing a novel co-generation configuration employing the hydrodisproportionation of coal. Hydrodisproportionation is the short residence time decomposition and volatilization of coal to produce liquid coproducts, minimizing char and gas production without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock. The char produced is gasified to simultaneously produce steam for electrical power generation and syngas to produce methanol in a once-through process. The methanol purge gas is used as a fuel gas for a gas-driven power generating turbine. The waste heat from the power generation is used as the process heat for hydrodisproportionation.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing organic material in a coal includes the steps of contacting the coal with a medium comprising an organic solvent and a strong base or phenoxide reactively associated with the solvent. The solvent may be an aprotic dipolar solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. The strong base may be sodium or potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a catalyzed short residence time decomposition and volatilization of coal to produce liquid co-products while minimizing production of char and gas without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock. The invention more particularly relates to an improved method of economically producing uniform, fluidic, oil-type transportable fuel systems and fuel compositions and a slate of "value-added" co-products by a catalyzed coal refining process employing short residence time hydrodisproportionation (SRT-HDP). The preferred catalysts are oxides and salts of iron.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to short residence time decomposition and volatilization of coal to produce liquid co-products, including petroleum substitutes and chemical feedstocks, while minimizing production of char and gas without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock. The invention more particularly relates to an improved partial coal liquefaction process for economically producing petroleum substitutes and chemical feedstocks from coal by a refining process employing short residence time vaporization and hydrogen conservation.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to co-production of petroleum substitutes, chemical feedstocks and methanol, while minimizing production of char and gas without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock. The invention more particularly relates to an improved partial coal refining process for economically producing petroleum substitutes and chemical feedstocks and hot char from coal by a refining process employing short residence time vaporization and hydrogen conservation and subsequently gasifying the hot char to syngas for production of methanol.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to short residence time decomposition and volatilization of coal to produce liquid co-products while minimizing production of char and gas without utilization of external hydrogen, that is, hydrogen other than that contained in the coal feedstock. The invention more particularly relates to an improved method of economically producing uniform, fluidic, oil-type transportable fuel systems and fuel compositions and a slate of "value-added" co-products by a coal refining process employing short residence time hydrodisproportionation (SRT-HDP).

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process using ionic liquefaction techniques with polar solvent solubilizing agents and water soluble inorganic compounds, produces a carbonaceous liquefaction product which is separated from the process stream by the use of methanol as a partitioning agent and the methanol and solubilizing agent are recovered separately for reuse.

Abstract: A process for two-stage catalytic hydrogenation and liquefaction of coal to produce increased yields of low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid and gas products. In the process, the particulate coal is slurried with a process-derived liquid solvent and fed at temperature below about 650.degree. F. into a first stage catalytic reaction zone operated at conditions which promote controlled rate liquefaction of the coal, while simultaneously hydrogenating the hydrocarbon recycle oils at conditions favoring hydrogenation reactions. The first stage reactor is maintained at 650.degree.-800.degree. F. temperature, 1000-4000 psig hydrogen partial pressure, and 10-60 lb coal/hr/ft.sup.3 reactor space velocity. The partially hydrogenated material from the first stage reaction zone is passed directly to the close-coupled second stage catalytic reaction zone maintained at a temperature at least about 25.degree. F. higher than for the first stage reactor and within a range of 750.degree.-875.degree. F.

Abstract: Low rank coals, waste coals and peat are refined by hydrodisproportionation to produce a slate of co-products by heating these materials in the presence of hydrogen donor rich reducing atmosphere and quenching the reaction vapor produced. The slate of co-products includes a fluidic, combustible non-polluting liquid/solid transportable fuel system derived in substantial part from said hydrodisproportionation.

Abstract: Volatile, carbonaceous material is refined by hydrodisproportionation to produce a slate of co-products by heating the carbonaceous material in the presence of hydrogen donor rich reducing atmosphere and quenching the reaction vapor produced. The slate of co-products includes a fluidic, combustible non-polluting liquid/solid transportable fuel system derived in substantial part from said hydrodisproportionation.

Abstract: A new technology for the extraction of liquid hydrocarbon products from fossil fuel resources such as oil shales, tar sands, heavy oils and coals which comprises the mixing of a donor solvent with the fossil fuel and the exposure of the mixture to ionizing radiation. The donor solvent supplies hydrogen for combination with molecules whose bonds are broken by the irradiation process. The method may be conducted at or above ambient temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be recovered from subterranean oil shale deposits by penetrating the deposit with a well, applying hydraulic and/or explosive fracturing to the portion of the formation adjacent the well to form a zone of rubberized and/or fractured oil shale material and then introducing it to the treated portion of the formation a hydrogen doner solvent, preferably tetralin, in a sufficient volume to essentially fill all of the void spaces in the formation within the rubberized and fractured portion of the formation, and then applying hydrogen to the well and maintaining the hydrogen at a pressure range of from 50 to 500 and preferably from 250 to 350 pounds per square inch for a period of time in the range of from 50 to 600 and preferably 250 to 350 days, which causes a disintegration of the oil shale minerals.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons may be recovered from crushed oil shale by contacting the coarsely crushed oil shale material with a hydrogen doner solvent such as tetralin, alone or in combination with high pressure gaseous hydrogen for a period of time sufficient to cause disintegration of the oil shale lumps, after which the pretreated material is introduced into a vessel containing a free oxygen containing gas such as air in a fluid environment at a temperature range from 30.degree. to 43.degree. C. to remove organic fragments from the polymeric kerogen component of oil shale by oxidative scissions. The oxidation is conducted using a liquid phase solvent for the organic fractions removed from the kerogen. Preferred solvents are naphthalene, tetralin and phenanthracene. The solvent-organic fraction solution is then separated into solvent and organic fraction by sublimation with the solvent being recycled.

Abstract: A process for recovery of organic oils and residues in association with inorganic solids by solvent extraction and for the recovery of solvent used for the extraction. The organic solvent extracted inorganic solids having remaining associated organic solvent is fluidized in a bed with fluidizing gas comprising superheated vapor of the organic solvent vaporizing and removing a substantial portion of the associated organic solvent. Then the solids are countercurrently contacted with a combustion gas stream at a lower temperature than the solids physically stripping a substantial portion of the residual solvent from the solids, the combustion gas stream being enhanced for combustion by comprising stripped organic solvent and by being heated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting solid carbonaceous material, such as coal, to liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons utilizing methane, generally at a residence time of about 20-120 minutes at a temperature of 250.degree.-750.degree. C., preferably 350.degree.-450.degree. C., pressurized up to 6000 psi, and preferably in the 1000-2500 psi range, preferably directly utilizing methane 50-100% by volume in a mix of methane and hydrogen. A hydrogen donor solvent or liquid vehicle such as tetralin, tetrahydroquinoline, piperidine, and pyrolidine may be used in a slurry mix where the solvent feed is 0-100% by weight of the coal or carbonaceous feed. Carbonaceous feed material can either be natural, such as coal, wood, oil shale, petroleum, tar sands, etc., or man-made residual oils, tars, and heavy hydrocarbon residues from other processing systems.

Abstract: A process of preparing a donor solvent for coal liquefaction. Liquefied coal is distilled to separate the coal into a fraction having a boiling point less than about 350.degree. F. and a residue having a boiling point greater than about 350.degree. F. The residue from the distillation is deasphalted in a first solvent capable of substantially extracting from the residue a first oil comprising lower molecular weight compounds and saturated compounds. The residue from the first deasphalting step is then deasphalted in a second solvent capable of substantially extracting from the residue a second oil comprising concentrated aromatic and heterocyclic compounds and leaving in the residue asphaltenes and ash. The second oil can be used as a donor solvent. The second oil extracted in the second deasphalting step is preferably partially hydrogenated prior to use as a donor solvent for the liquefaction of coal.

Abstract: A method for the liquefaction of coal under coal liquefaction conditions in the presence of manganese nodules in combination with an improved coal liquefaction solvent. Liquid yields are increased when the solvent, containing substantially only polycondensed aromatic systems or components that possess polargraphic reduction potentials equal to or greater than about -2.4 volts, is utilized in the reaction. During the reaction the polycondensed aromatic compounds, in the presence of manganese, are selectively and rapidly hydrogenated leading to increased liquefaction of coal.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process comprising reacting coal with a hydrocarbonaceous solvent at coal liquefaction conditions in the presence of an oil shale residue catalyst comprising organic and inorganic fractions. The oil shale residue catalyst is derived by heating an oil shale in the presence of an inert gas with respect to the oil shale at a temperature of 500.degree.-825.degree. F.

Abstract: Methods for the physical and operational integration of a carbonaceous gasification plan, a gaseous fuel synthesis plant and a power generation station to economincally produce synfuel and electrical power comprising producing gases comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen from carbonaceous raw materials in a gasification unit wherein the gasification unit utilizes exhaust steam from a power generating unit to provide various energy needs for producing synthesis gas, utilizing the hydrogen derived from the gasification unit in the liquefying and hydrogenation of coal or hydrogenation of natural gas in a fuel synthesis unit wherein the heat generated from the exothermic reactions in the fuel synthesis unit is employed to generate high pressure steam which is fed to a power generation unit to drive electrical power producing turbines wherein the exhaust steam from the turbine is used in the gasification unit as a heat source during gasification and collecting of steam condensate from the exhaust steam and recycl

Abstract: A process for improving the upgrading/conversion of hydrocarbonaceous materials such as coals, petroleum residual oils, shale oils and tar sand bitumens. In the process, the free radicals formed from thermal cracking of the hydrocarbons are reacted with the free radicals formed by the thermal cracking of a free radical forming chemical reactant, such as dimethyl ether, to yield stable low molecular weight hydrocarbon distillate products. The hydrocarbonaceous feed material is preheated to a temperature of 600.degree.-700.degree. F. and the hydrocarbon and the free radicals forming chemical, such as dimethyl ether, are passed through a flow reactor at temperature of 750.degree.-900.degree. F., pressure of 200-1000 psi, and liquid hourly space velocity of 0.3 to 5.0 LHSV. Free radicals formed from the hydrocarbon feed material and from the ether material react together in the reactor to produce low molecular weight hydrocarbon liquid materials.