Upgrading of low-rank coal via deoxygenation and recovery of aromatic chemicals

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14218
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Catalyst/Resource chemical process
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Masuda Takao 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 教授 (20165715)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 化学工学 / 資源化学プロセス / 化石燃料有効利用技術

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated two-step process for converting low-rank coal into high-rank coal and recovering aromatic compounds. Regarding to the upgrading of low-rank coal (1st step), non-polar solvent such as toluene was found to be appropriate for co-solvent of water. We examined the effect of reaction conditions and succeeded in producing bituminous-like coal with a high yield at 350 degree C for 2 hour. Next, brown coal-derived organic phase was employed in the reaction over iron oxide-based catalyst. Depolymerization of brown coal-derived compounds proceeded, and aromatic compounds increased after the reaction. Moreover, this process was applied to peat under optimal conditions, resulting in the conversion into sub-bituminous-like coal.

Free Research Field

化学工学