Flash hydropyrolysis of coal (FHP)

The present studies concentrate on the rapid gas phase non-catalytic hydrogenation of a non-caking coal (lignite) maximizing liquid hydrocarbon yields for distillate fuels and chemical feedstock. The features of a non-catalytic process and direct hydrogenation in one step to liquid distillates tend to improve the efficiency and reduce capital and operating costs compared to other liquefaction processes such as Fischer-Tropsch. The basis of the process is to rapidly heat pulverized lignite to elevated temperatures in a hydrogen atmosphere. This devolatilizes the coal and opens up molecular bonds in the coal structure subsequently forming smaller molecular fragments which add on hydrogen to form hydrocarbon products. Rapid cooling of the products prevents further degradation of the hydrocarbons to char. For development and design requirements it is necessary to obtain process chemistry information