- Details
As further follow-up to our report of Exxon's United States Patent, Number 3847567, wherein they manufacture Methane from Coal; and, to our other documentation that Methane could be converted into Gasoline, as it was on a pilot plant scale in New Zealand, we herein, via a US Patent held by Penn State University, again confirm that Methane, once manufactured via Coal gasification or Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, can be further processed to synthesize the versatile liquid fuel; plastics manufacturing raw material; and, as in ExxonMobil's "MTG"(r) process, gasoline precursor: Methanol.
- Details
Process to produce a high methane content gas mixture from coal - Patent EP0259927
Enclosed is a European Patent that we're sending along just to further document that the technologies exist, and are known world-wide, that would allow us to convert some of our abundant Coal into Methane.
The significance of such technology is that, once obtained, Methane, aside from being a substitute natural gas fuel, can, as we recently documented in a report from New Zealand, be directly converted into liquid fuel; and, perhaps more importantly, it can be reacted, in the "tri-reforming" process, as described by both Penn State University and WVU, and others, with Carbon Dioxide, in a process that would consume CO2 and recycle it back into liquid fuels and plastics manufacturing raw materials.
- Details
Energy Citations Database (ECD) - - Document #6116996
For more than three years, Penn State University was employed by the US Department of Energy to improve the technology for liquefying coal, under Contract Number AC22-83PC60050, as documented herein.
Interestingly enough, as we will document in another dispatch to follow, Penn State University and at least one of the scientists responsible for this study, were, coincident with and following this effort, pursuing even more USDOE-sponsored research to improve and refine coal liquefaction technology.
Like much else about the development of coal liquefaction and gasification technologies, in an extensive, nationwide program organized and financed by our United States Department of Energy, involving multiple research organizations, efforts and reports ended near the middle of the 1980's.
- Details
In further support of our case that, once Methane has been generated, by either Sabatier-type Carbon Dioxide recycling, as now employed by NASA, as we've documented, aboard the International Space Station; or, by Coal gasification, as especially defined by ExxonMobil in their United States Patent, Number 3847567, for "Catalytic Coal Hydrogasification", which we very recently reported to you, Methane can then be converted directly into Gasoline, we submit herein documentation from halfway around the world attesting to the fact.
The excerpts, comment appended:
"Title: Methane-to-gasoline plant adds to New Zealand liquid fuel resources
Author: J. Haggin
Journal: Chemical Engineering News; June, 1987
Abstract: For slightly more than a year, New Zealand Synthetic Fuels Corp. has been operating the world's first plant to convert methane to gasoline. Based on the year's operations, the plant has more than fulfilled expectations of the owners, designers, and builders. The plant's success is not unqualified, however. The world economic situation at the time the plant was designed and financed was quite different from what it is today. Although the plant cannot be considered a financial success at this point, that too could change if world economics do another flip-flop because of gyrating oil prices. Whatever the financial considerations, the plant has met the strategic goal of reducing New Zealand's dependence on foreign oil. The conception and organization of the methane-to-gasoline project is outlined."
----------
As it happens, unsurprisingly, other reports we'll not cite herein document that this New Zealand enterprise, which converted Methane into Gasoline, and which "more than fulfilled expectations of the owners, designers, and builders", closed down not long after this report was made.
We rather imagine that the "world economic situation" - read: the price of oil and oil's economic impact - might be a bit different now than it was a little more than two decades ago. Bet we've done a couple of "economic ... flip-flop"s since then.
Our points are: Methane can be successfully converted into gasoline on a production basis. Methane can be synthesized from either CO2 or Coal.
- Details
Herein, even Stanford University, in California, acknowledges that, as we have been documenting from across the country and around the world, it is known, in certain circles, that Carbon Dioxide, which arises in a small way, relative to natural sources of emission, from our use of coal, is a valuable raw material resource which we should develop the technologies to more fully utilize.
Brief comment follows excerpts from:
"Title: Electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to methane and oxygen with an oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte
Authors: Gurt, T.M.; Wise, H.; Huggins, R.A.
Affiliation: Stanford University; Dept. of Materials Science Engineering; Stanford, CA
Publication: Journal of Catalysis, 1991, vol. 129, pp. 216-224
Abstract: The performance characteristics of a solid-state electrochemical cell have been examined for the catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen to methane and oxygen. The electrolyte, made up of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), served the dual function of (a) a support material for the platinum catalyst, and (b) an oxygen ion-conducting membrane for the removal of surface oxygen formed during the reaction. The results indicate a linear increase in reaction rate with DC bias applied across the solid electrolyte. The reaction proceeds by way of a stepwise abstraction of oxygen atoms from carbon dioxide and hydrogenation of surface carbon to methane "
---------
As we read "results indicate a linear increase in reaction rate with DC bias", etc., we take it to mean that, as you turn up the voltage, you increase both the amount of Carbon Dioxide you convert into Methane and the speed with which you do it.
Remember: Once we have the Methane, we can, via "Tri-Reforming" processes, as described by various institutions, such as Penn State University and West Virginia University, use it to convert, to recycle, even more Carbon Dioxide into even more complex, and valuable, hydrocarbons which serve as the bases for liquid fuel and plastics syntheses.
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.
