Catalyst development program for hydrodesulfurization and liquefaction of coal to produce clean boiler fuels. Quarterly report, December 1976--February 1977

Several reports of current work in coal liquefaction were reviewed to enlarge our base of information for catalyst development. Some of the points of interest obtained in this way give experimental confirmation to concepts discussed in our proposal. Of the two primary catalyst functions now recognized for coal liquefaction, conversions of asphaltenes to oils and hydrodesulfurization of the product, the former will bear emphasis in initial work with the objective to extend catalyst life and improve selectivity so that hydrogen consumption is minimized. In light of a discussion with ERDA, Harshaw Chemical Co. has agreed with the desirability to broaden the objectives of their rapid screening program. It is anticipated that the newly designed screening unit, based on a stirred autoclave style reactor, will make use of much of the equipment ordered for the originally planned unit. Work has continued on construction of the Battelle SYNTHOIL Miniplant Reactor to be used for intensive screening of selected catalysts. Completion of the Miniplant is forecast for March or April, 1977. A 5-gallon sample of the currently preferred SYNTHOIL catalyst Harshaw CoMo 0402-T1/8, has been received at Battelle and work has proceeded to characterize it for use as reference and as the basismore » for whatever development is required. In the Quarterly Report results are reported for BET surface area, micro and macro pore size distribution, helium density, particle density, and electron microprobe operated in the X-ray dispersive mode.« less