Toxicological Beneficiation of Coal Liquids and Comparison with Petroleum Products

摘要

Research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on the toxicological properties of coal-derived liquids is focused on characterizing finished products and toxicity beneficiation processes. The primary emphasis is placed on comparing the dermal tumorigenicity of coal and petroleum-derived fuels and identifying means of reducing the toxicity of crude coal liquids. This paper summarizes the results of a toxicological comparison of crude and hydrogenated coal liquids, and of naphtha and home heating oil products refined from coal liquids and petroleum. Catalytic hydrogenation and alternate or supplemental refining processes are examined for their utility in the toxicological beneficiation of crude coal liquids. Catalytic hydrogenation is found to be a very effective means of reducing the tumorigens and tumorigenicity in crude coal-derived liquids to levels comparable to those of petroleum equivalents. However, a residual tumorigenicity remains even in products subjected to high severity hydrogenation. Variations in catalyst, hydrogenation conditions, or combining sample pretreatments with hydrotreatment may allow further reduction in tumorigenicity. 15 refs., 5 figs., 12 tabs. (ERA citation 11:010919)