Upgrading of coal liquids: upgrading distillates from coal liquefaction. Annual report, January 31, 1978-January 31, 1979

Distillates from DOE-sponsored coal liquefaction products have been examined as potential feedstocks to commercial petroleum refining processes. The ultimate objective is to provide a new source of transportation fuels and environmentally acceptable fuel oils. Coal-derived naphthas from the H-Coal and Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS) processes have been hydrotreated and reformed in research pilot plants to 100 Research Octane Number (RON) gasoline. Conditions for hydrotreating were relatively severe compared to those required to treat a Middle East naphtha. Reforming proceeded at relatively mild conditions. Hydrogen yield was greatly in excess of the amount required for hydrotreating. The 400/sup 0/F/sup +/ distillates from the H-Coal and EDS processes have been converted in research pilot plants by hydrotreating, hydrocracking and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC). In general, hydrotreatment is required prior to either hydrocracking or FCC to reduce excessive amounts of nitrogen and to enhance processability. Hydrotreating alone will give high yields of environmentally acceptable No. 2 fuel oil. Hydrocracking to gasoline proceeded at operating conditions somewhat more severe than required for a Middle East gas oil. Hydrogen consumption was high. However, a portion of the hydrogen can be recovered by reforming the hydrocracked naphtha to 100 RON gasoline. Additional hydrogen can potentially bemore » recouped by steam reforming light gases. The hydrotreated distillates responded to fluid catalytic cracking as well as petroleum derived stocks of comparable hydrogen content. FCC gasoline product octane numbers ranged from 92 to 99 RON.« less