Advanced coal liquefaction to Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. Quarterly report, April 1, 1994--June 30, 1994

摘要

A meeting was held between Media and Process Technology Inc. (M&P) and PETC to review the result from the separation of model compounds using modified membranes. Also a reaction system was defined for studying the use of catalytic membrane to enhance the conversion of a model compound. Compound No. 9 was selected as a first candidate. Previously M&P had demonstrated the separation of this compound from the solvent, tetralin, using a modified membrane, Si 248 at 25 and 80C. We anticipated this membrane or other modified membranes with a smaller pore size should be sufficient for the separation of the compound at a higher temperature. After reviewing the reference provided by PETC, reaction at approximately 400C was selected. In a literature study with a closed vessel using carbon black as a catalyst, a conversion of approximately 44% and selectivity of approximately 90% were obtained. The reaction products were documented in the reference. They may permeate selectively through the membrane, resulting in the yield improvement. A carbon catalyst was provided by PETC for this experimental study. Selective removal of compound No. 9 in tetralin was demonstrated in a previous study using Si 248 at 25 to 80C. In this quarter, this membrane was used to evaluate its separation behavior at a higher temperature. Permeation of tetralin from 25 to 180C was performed. It appeared that tetralin degraded gradually at the high temperature, i.e., 150C and above. This degradation resulted in fouling the modified membrane. Eventually the membrane delivered no flux even under a high pressure drop. The results of the permeation study is chronologically presented in this report.