Catalytic methods in coal processing to syn-gas, carboneous and liquid fuels contributing to sustainable development

The processes of brown coal autothermal carbonization and steam gasification in a fluidized bed of catalytically active materials, catalytic hydrogenation of brown coal and its mixtures with waste polyolefines and sapropelitic coal liquefaction have been studied. The application of fluidized bed of iron-containing materials, which are able to catalyse the volatives oxidation provides the autothermal conditions of coal carbonization without the formation of harmful polycyclic compounds and pyrolysis tars. Based on catalytic method of coal carbonization, the integrated process of fuel-gas and syn-gas synchronous production from brown coal was suggested. The circulation of hot char-product particles between carbonization and gasification reactors supplies by heat the steam-gasification process. Therefore it goes at the low oxygen consumption and produces more clean syn-gas as compared to conventional gasification processes. The various approaches were used in order to increase the yield and quality of liquids produced from brown coal. They including the application of inexpensive iron-ore catalysts, hydrogen-donor organic solvents, activation treatment of coal by ozone, co-processing of coal with polymer wastes. it was found that sapropelitic coal can be converted to liquids with the yield by 7 times higher as compared to brown coal. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.