Development of significantly improved catalysts for coal liquefaction and upgrading of coal extracts. Quarterly progress report No. 4, July 1-September 30, 1982

Cold flow ebullation tests to determine the ranges of operability of bead catalysts continued. Data reported show the effects of higher catalyst density, wider particle size distributions, and higher fluid viscosity on ebullation of bead catalysts. A relation for determining limiting diameters in a liquid-solid fluidized bed was developed. Correlation of the three-phase data is being investigated. The CSTR Catalyst Aging Test Unit is described. The system operates under computer control. High pressure hydrogen and coal slurry are fed continuously to a one-liter stirred autoclave. High pressure nitrogen for inerting and flush oil are used in the event of an interlock shutdown. The product is passed to a 3-gallon collection vessel or to a smaller sampling vessel during material balance periods. The gas disentrains from the mixture and is scrubbed. Analytical techniques to be used in the course of the catalyst testing program were evaluated. H-COAL PDU products and SRC-II Heavy distillate were analyzed. Standard deviations for many of the procedures were determined. Specific methods are summarized. Development of surface analytical techniques to study coal liquefaction catalysts focused on used Amocat 1A catalysts from coal run 10 at the H-COAL Pilot Plant. Preliminary results of analysis by ESCA and x-ray microprobe are given