Conversion of Coal to Liquids and Gases by Advanced Bioprocessing Systems.

摘要

A bioprocess can be defined as the directed and controlled use of living organisms or their products to bring about desired chemical and/or physical change. Because of their specificity, bioprocesses can be used to separate a product or contaminant from mixtures or to convert a component of a mixture to a useful product at mild operating conditions. There are an increasing number of concepts that are being considered for use in the processing of fossil fuels, particularly for coal. These include coal preparation technologies such as beneficiation; conversion of coal to useful liquid or gaseous products; product upgrading with removal of detrimental and hazardous components; and environmental control technology for gaseous, liquid, and solid effluents. The conversion of coal to liquids and gases is of specific interest, since the mild operating conditions of biological processes would be very attractive when compared to the rather severe chemical and physical process environment needed for the thermal/chemical conversion of coal. Research results on the biological conversion of coal are summarized and the potential impact of this evolving technology is assessed. (ERA citation 13:035556)