This project for supporting research and development in separations technology for coal conversion systems was sponsored by the Energy Research and Development ~dministration, Division of Fossil Energy Research. During the first year, the work focused on alternative methods for accomplishing the solid-liquid separations that are required for liquefaction processes. The first phase, completed January 18, 1975, consisted of the.review and evaluation of available data. Phase 11, reviewed June 30, 1975, consisted of .characterization tests of selected process streams and scouting tests for some alternate separations methods. A thir'd phase, which included bench-scale development of agglomeration-settling separations techniques,. verification of methods to significantly improve current process filtration rates, and selected characterization and aging tests, ends with this report. Funding in this area was discontinued September 30, 1.976. ' n settling time irl: 1 lir or less .' ' ' 1k some cases, the clarified fraction will meet EPA guidelines fordirect combustion as a boiler fuel. Preliminary economics.have not yet been determined, but it.is .possible that additive agglomeration at low concentrations (< 1000 ppm) will, be the'least expensive of the proposed separations.techniques.. . 4. Studies of both Solvent Refined ,Coa.l ,(SRC) and Char Oil ;. Energy Development (COED) process .streaq characteristics, have added significantly to.,the coal liquefaction data base. The electron microscope was used to characterize process, solids by particle size distributions.. .The,accumulation of physical and chemical property data, petrographic analyses, neutron activation analyses, and photon emission ,. .. spectroscopy data also contributed to the data base.. . Aging tests have determined the. effects. of sampling. . and. ' '. . storing SRC-unfiltered oil under. various. .. conditions .
