Direct coal liquefaction (DCL) seems to be a suitable way to convert low rank coals into liquid fuels, especially when problematic wastes are used together with this feedstock. It is also a solution to become energy independent for many countries which have significant coal resources and limited access to crude oil. The aim of this research was to investigate DCL process by the co-processing of brown coal with model-, petroleum-and waste-derived solvents. The brown coal with and without W, Fe and Mo metals supported on its surface was tested. Thirteen DCL tests with added hydrogen pressure were carried out in the autoclave. These tests were classified in two groups. First group covered reactions using model and petroleum-derived solvents (tetralin, 1methylnaphthalene, light cycle oil (LCO), hydrotreated LCO, C9+ fraction and decalin) with non-impregnated brown coal. Then, LCO was chosen as solvent for carrying out three tests using the metals supported on coal. Finally, waste tires pyrolysis oil was used as a waste-derived solvent for other three tests with molybdenum supported on coal. For tests using LCO, the total amount of direct liquid and n-heptane soluble products was 20 wt% higher using metal covered brown coal in comparison to unmodified one. The test with the brown coal impregnated by 1% of molybdenum resulted in the best efficiency, thus this type of coal was chosen as a catalytic feedstock for the tests with waste tires pyrolysis oil.

A sample of phonolite was treated by cold plasma and hydrochloric acid diluted in water to study the change of its structure and acid properties. The phonolite and treated samples were analysed by XRD, elemental analysis XRF, specific surface area BET, TPD-NH 3 and FT-IR spectroscopy. They were also tested in the adsorption of Ca, K, Mg, P and Na impurities present in waste cooking oil. Plasma treated sample presented almost the same structure with some surface differences respect to the original phonolite. However, acid treated sample presented bigger total surface compared to the other samples, different structure, composition and acid properties.

Effects of animal fat addition in hydrotreated gas oil.

The Fischer–Tropsch heavy fraction is a potential feedstock for transport-fuels production through co-processing with fossil fuel fraction. However, there is still the need of developing new and green catalytic materials able to process this feedstock into valuable outputs. The present work studies the co-hydrocracking of the Fisher–Tropsch heavy fraction (FT-res.) with vacuum gas oil (VGO) at different ratios (FT-res. 9:1 VGO, FT-res. 7:3 VGO, and FT-res. 5:5 VGO) using phonolite-based catalysts (5Ni10W/Ph, 5Ni10Mo/Ph, and 5Co10Mo/Ph), paying attention to the overall conversion, yield, and selectivity of the products and properties. The co-processing experiments were carried out in an autoclave reactor at 450 °C, under 50 bars for 1 and 2 h. The phonolite-based catalysts were active in the hydrocracking of FT-res.:VGO mixtures, presenting different yields to gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel fractions, depending on the time of reaction and type of catalyst. Our results enable us to define the most suitable metal transition composition for the phonolite-based support as a hydrocracking catalyst.

The main objective of this paper is to carry out a techno-economic evaluation for the direct coal liquefaction (DCL) process based on the two primary conversion options under consideration: (a) catalytic coal liquefaction (CCL)the use of non-donor solvents with added hydrogen pressure and (b) thermal coal liquefaction (TCL)the use of solvents with some H-donor properties without hydrogen pressure. For this purpose, steady-state process models for the CCL and TCL are developed. The process modules addresses only the primary DCL process and do not include any upgrading to transport fuels as this will be conducted at refinery facilities. To better understand the process parameters and benefits of each option, detailed simulations have been conducted using the ECLIPSE modelling software. Technical results showed that daily oil yields (light and middle distillates) were around 1208 barrels from the CCL process and 924 barrels from the TCL process when the feed rate of brown coal was 256 t/d (on dry and ash free basis). Based on economic assumptions, the break-even oil price would be €47.10/barrel with the CCL and €57.81/barrel with the TCL.