Effects of Hydrotreatment on the Properties of Coal-Derived Liquid Products: A Status Report

摘要

Products from coal liquefaction facilities contain many compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic amines, nitrogen-and-sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds, phenols, and trace metal compounds that are known or suspected to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or toxic. Biological activity has been identified in product materials derived from PDU and pilot plant operations, which are considered generically representative of raw materials that might be produced by demonstration or commercial-scale facilities. Exploratory research studies have indicated that hydrotreatment reduces significantly the biological response and ecological hazard of these generic liquid products. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has been asked by the Office of Fossil Energy, the US Department of Energy to assist in a systematic study of coal-derived liquids which are upgraded. The approach to upgrading in this program was in part a result of research at ORNL and the Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory which showed hydrotreatment effective for reducing mutagenicity and other biological and ecological properties. Experience at these and other laboratories has shown it to be essential to generate data on the chemical properties of the samples to assist in interpretation of bioassay results. This report summarizes the current status of an interdivisional program evaluating the effectiveness of hydrotreatment in reducing the biological response and ecological hazard of coal liquids derived from the SRC-II, Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS), and H-coal processes. Although the program is continuing and the full set of data are not yet available, the considerable set of results generated to date clearly demonstrate the beneficial effects of hydrotreatment. (ERA citation 08:048517)