- Details
Methane conversion - Patent 4544784
Not long ago, we submitted a collection of five, sequentially-issued, United States Patents awarded to Atlantic Richfield Company, ARCO, for the conversion of Methane, as can be derived via the steam-, or hydro-, gasification of Coal; or, the Sabatier-type recycling of Carbon Dioxide into liquid fuels.
And, to be, hopefully not tediously, redundant, we'll first quote, before presenting excerpts from the link enclosed above, our concluding paragraphs from that previous ARCO dispatch:
- Details
Production of a clean methane-rich fuel gas from high-sulfur containing hydrocarbonaceous materials - Patent 3928000
As in many of Big Oil's patents centered on the use of Coal as an alternative to traditional sources of petroleum products, Texaco was careful to use that dirty, four-letter word only once, that we were able to detect, in the whole body of this US Patent. You'll see it in our excerpts.
- Details
We've thoroughly documented, and will continue to document, the potentials for using "methanogenic archaea" bacteria to produce Methane from industrial effluent Carbon Dioxide.
Herein, inventors in Wisconsin are seen to have very recently applied for a United States Patent on such technology.
Patent Application details are not as fully published, or otherwise as publicly available, as are those of issued patents, so we are not yet able to provide you with details of the inventors' affiliations, or of the identity of the intended Patent Assignee, if any.
We alert you to one fact that we find absolutely fascinating: This technology for utilizing, mitigating, Carbon Dioxide emissions was developed, and the patent applied for, to support the Agricultural Industry's promotion of "Green" ethanol fuels based on Agricultural produce.
- Details
As in many of our previous dispatches, and in more to follow, we again document that a well-developed body of technical knowledge, concerning the conversion of our abundant reserves of Coal into the liquid fuels we grow increasingly short of, exists in this nation, and has existed for many decades.
We have documented the extensive, government-promoted Coal-to-liquid technology development,that took place in various parts of the United States, immediately subsequent to WWII, inspired by our Government's awareness of how the Germans and Japanese fueled their armies in significant part with synthetic fuels made from Coal.
Herein, we document yet another piece of technology that evolved from that post-war era of CoalTL development, yet another US Patent for technology to convert Coal into substitute petroleum liquids, a technology owned by what was then yet another soldier in Big Oil's army.
- Details
We've reported that Methane, as can be obtained from the Sabatier-type recycling of Carbon Dioxide, can itself be converted into liquid fuels; and, that it can, as in the "Tri-reforming" technology described so far most thoroughly by Penn State University, be combined with more Carbon Dioxide to synthesize higher hydrocarbons; and, that it can be employed in processes of indirect Coal liquefaction, wherein Coal is first converted into a synthesis gas, "syngas", to improve the production of hydrocarbons from Coal.
Herein, via the enclosed link and following excerpt, is additional confirmation, from both China and Australia, of that last assertion:
"Combined Coal Gasification and Methane Reforming for Production of Syngas
Jinhu Wu, Yitian Fang, and Yang Wang; Institute of Coal Chemistry, Peoples Republic of China
Dong-ke Zhang; University of Technology, Perth, Australia
Energy Fuels, February, 2005; Copyright 2005 American Chemical Society
Abstract: The concept of combining coal gasification and methane reforming for syngas production in a fluidized-bed reactor, as a means for utilization of both coal and coal-bed methane was proposed and evaluated experimentally. ... Up to 90% Methane conversion and 70% Carbon conversion were achieved... . For comparison, the results of the gasification of coal ... without added methane were also reported. These results proved the feasibility of such an integrated coal gasification and methane reforming process. Further ... development opportunities were also identified."
----------
We note that these scientists employed Methane recovered from Coal seams; but, the point is made:
Methane - as can be synthesized from Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, as is now being utilized by NASA, and variants of which have been patented by corporate proxies of our US Department of Defense, all as recorded and documented in the West Virginia Coal Association's R&D Blog - can be employed to improve the production of synthesis gas, from Coal, which can then be catalyzed into hydrocarbon liquid fuels.
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.
