THE HYDROGENATION OF ALBERTA COALS: II. COMPARATIVE DATA ON THIRTEEN COALS OF VARIOUS RANKS AND TWO SUSPENSION MEDIA, TETRALIN AND LIQUID PETROLATUM

Abstract

Thirteen Alberta coals of graded rank have been hydrogenated in the presence of tetralin at 450 °C. and in the presence of liquid petrolatum at 425 °C. Tetralin is superior to liquid petrolatum owing, it is believed, to its efficiency as a hydrogen carrier and its solvent action on coal. The use of tetralin or materials of similar chemical constitution in a commercial process is considered possible, and the greater cost of the medium might be more than offset by its greater efficiency as compared with the ordinary heavy oils.A definite progression from old to young coals has been shown by increasing yields of volatile oil, gas and water, and decreasing yields of pitch and coke.Conversions of coal to oils, water and gas as high as 96.7% with tetralin and 81.6% with liquid petrolatum on the dry, ash-free basis have been reported.