Prototype pilot plant operation Synthane process. Monthly activity report No. 38, October 1--31, 1977

Three attempts were made to operate the pretreater continuously in October using Illinois No. 6 coal, but each ended after a short operating period with coal agglomerating in the vessel. Procedures were varied during these tests in an attempt to achieve operability. The first two attempts were made using carbon dioxide to transport the coal from the Petrocarb System to the pretreater, and the third attempt was made using high pressure steam. The use of steam as the transport medium was the most successful. The run was terminated when the coal feed stopped due to condensation of the steam in the line. When the pretreater was opened after this run, the vessel contained some agglomerated coal but most of the pretreater bed was free flowing and pretreated. Plans are underway to fabricate a temporary superheater and acquire a permanent steam superheater for coal transport with steam. Additional tests with carbon dioxide as the transport medium will continue until a superheater is installed