33.4 Technical Questions

1.  What are the various ways for coal to be fed to hydrogenation process ?

Ans: The following are the various alternatives:

• • Solvent extraction of powdered coal followed with hydrogenation of the extract.

• Treatment of a paste formed with pulverized coal and heavy oil in a hydrogenation reactor.

• Hydrogenation of powdered coal + hydrogen in a reactor.

2.  Why is a cyclone separator required in the process ?

Ans: A cyclone separator enables the separation of finer solids that are entrained in the gaseous mixture. If the cyclone separator is not used, then eventually the coal enters the waste stream and would also pose more environmental risks in addition to the loss of valuable raw material.

3.  In the changing energy scenarios of the world, in what way hydrogenation of coal is beneficial ?

Ans: Coal hydrogenation is a potential route to transform coal into other usable compounds such as methane, benzene and aromatics. Methane otherwise can be converted to an equivalent liquefied natural gas (LNG) for fuel usage in various automobiles. Therefore, the hydrogenation of coal if carried out in a cost effective way can be a very important technology to explore when world petroleum reserves reduce drastically.

 

References :

1. Gary J.H. ,   Handwerk G.E., Petroleum Refining: Technology and Economics, Taylor & Francis, 2005

2. Jones D.S.J., Elements of Petroleum Processing, John Wiley & Sons, 1995