Utilization of Coal as a Source of Chemicals

Abstract

Coal consists carbon-based substances can be used as a source of specialty aromatic chemicals and aliphatic chemicals. Four widespread processes allow for making chemicals from coals: gasification, liquefaction, direct conversion, and co-production of chemicals and fuels along with electricity. Coal is gasified to produce synthesis gas (syngas) with a gasifier which is then converted to parafinic liquid fuels and chemicals by Fischer-Trops synthesis. Liquid product from coal gasification mainly contains benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX), phenols, alkylphenols, and cresol. Methanol is made using coal or syngas with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a 2 to 1 ratio. Coal-derived methanol has many preferable properties as it is free of sulfur and other impurities. Syngas from coal can be reformed to hydrogen. Ammonium sulfate from coal tar by pyrolysis can be converted to ammonia. The humus substances can be recovered from brown coal by alkali extraction.

Chemistry and geology of coal: nature, composition, coking, gasification, liquefaction, production of chemicals, formation, peatification, coalification, coal types, and ranks

“…The processes used to produce certain chemicals from coal are usually proprietary systems with specialised processing equipment. The main route for obtaining the above chemicals and fertilisers is coal gasification to produce syngas [62,63]. Figure 2 shows a simplified purification scheme of cryogenic partial condensation of syngas (CO/H 2 ).…”

“…In the following discussion, a very brief description of the valuable properties and processes of some important chemicals such as carbon monoxide, acetic acid, formaldehyde and olefins is given [62,63].…”

The Assessment of Coal's Contribution to Sustainable Energy Development in Turkey

“…Coal has played a key role as a primary source of organic chemicals as well as a primary energy source. It may become more important both as an energy source and as the source of carbon-based materials, especially aromatic chemicals in the 21st century (Demirbas, 2007). Coal in Turkey has many important uses, but most significantly in electricity generation, steel and cement manufacture, and industrial process heating.…”

“…With regard to the overall energy sector, the country's primary energy consumption increased from 32 mtoe (million tons of oil equivalent) in 1980 to 78.9 mtoe in 2000 and subsequently decreased to 73.9 mtoe in 2001 (Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, 2010) due to a devastating financial and currency crisis. Turkey consumed 106 mtoe in 2007(Electricity Generation Co. Inc, 2009, accounting for approximately 1% of the world's primary energy consumption. Projections to 2020 indicate that Turkey's energy demand will increase significantly.…”

A new method to evaluate the performance of slime water treatment

“…However, these parameters cannot reflect the changes in the treatment performance promptly and accurately. Therefore, a parameter that characterizes water treatment performance is necessary (Demirbas, 2007).…”