Diverse Liquefaction Behavior of Various Bituminous Coals in the SRC-I Process: An Engineering and Economic Evaluation

摘要

Process engineering evaluations were prepared for two coal liquefaction concepts described in Volume 1 of Research Project 411-1. These evaluations were made within the framework of complete self-sustained plants. The two liquefaction concepts considered were the non-catalytic Solvent Refined Coal process and a generic catalytic hydroliquefaction process referred to as the CHL process. The engineering designs and capital cost estimates were developed for a southern Illinois location using the same general process configuration and supporting units for both liquefaction systems. The designs were based on the use of commercially demonstrated technology wherever possible to provide a common basis for comparing the first generation cost of the alternates considered here with those evaluated earlier. The original design cases were intended to be base cases for assessing the cost impact of process improvements that could be incorporated into subsequent designs. Two cases representing SRC technology (Wilsonville, Alabama pilot plant results) are described herein based on operation with different types of coal than previously considered. The designs are developed for plants with a nominal product capacity (including residual fuel) of 50,000 barrels per day of fuel oil equivalent. As expected, the findings of this study confirmed that the cost of SRC product depends on the liquefaction behavior of the coal feedstock increasing as the processing severity required increases. However, two aspects, both of which are more related to the SRC-1 process itself than to the diverse liquefaction behavior of various coals, should be given special consideration. These are: 1) control of solvent quality, and 2) SRC product quality. (ERA citation 05:005302)