- Details
One of the issues we have been addressing in our reports is the fact that supplemental Hydrogen, needed for the complete hydrogenation of highly-carbonaceous Coal, to synthesize liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, can be generated as a function of the total Coal conversion process, via controlled reactions between Steam and hot Coal.
Actually, none of our more recent sources has stated that as clearly so far as did a team of West Virginia scientists, in the employ of DuPont; who, more than half a century ago, were awarded a US patent for just such a technology.
- Details
Last week, we sent you information, now posted on the WV Coal Association's R&D Blog, under the self-explanatory header of "Esso/Exxon 1973 Hydrogen from Coal and Steam".
The US Patent enclosed in this dispatch is for related technology.
Also today, as it relates, we will be sending you, under separate cover, yet another United States Patent, awarded to scientists in Europe, documenting the fact that Carbon Dioxide can be recycled, and transformed into valuable liquid hydrocarbons, such as Methanol, through catalyzed reactions with Methane.
- Details
Why a group of collaborating scientists working, variously, in Ireland and The Netherlands would assign the US rights to an invention for the recycling of Carbon Dioxide to a company in Germany, we've no idea.
But, that's what they did.
- Details
Earlier, we dispatched report of: "United States Patent 3,514,394 - Cyclic Process for Converting Coal into Liquid Products; May, 1970; Assignee: Esso Research and Engineering Company", which is now posted on the WV Coal Association's R&D site.
Herein, we see that 1970 was something of a banner year for the Esso predecessor of ExxonMobil, in terms of developing Coal conversion technologies, and thereby demonstrating that our domestic Coal can, efficiently and economically, be converted into the liquid fuels we need.
- Details
United States Patent: 4158637
The above link relates to our post of May 28, 2010, wherein we detailed the invention, documented as US Patent 3,888,750, awarded to Pittsburgh's Westinghouse Corporation, of a method to economically generate Hydrogen by the electrical decomposition of Water, noting that their invention of such a process was directly related to another patent application for the conversion of Coal into hydrocarbons.
That patent application did result in the award of a patent, to Westinghouse, as we herein document.
Join Friends of Coal
Be part of West Virginia's coal industry future. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more prosperous Mountain State by supporting our miners and communities.
West Virginia Coal Association
The West Virginia Coal Association has been the voice of the coal industry for over 100 years, advocating for safe, responsible mining practices and supporting the communities that depend on coal.
Join the FOC
Become a Friend of Coal and download our app to stay connected and support the industry.
