97/01936 Shape-selective catalysis for synthesis of high-value chemicals from aromatics in coal liquids

Abstract

Liquids derived from coals contain numerous aromatic compounds. Many of the one- to four-ring aromatic and polar compounds can be converted into valuable chemicals. Economic analysis of the viability of liquefaction (and related conversion processes) may well produce a different result if some of the aromatics and phenolics are used for making high-value chemicals and some of the liquids for making high-quality fuels such as thermally stable aviation fuels. To make effective use of aromatics in coal liquids, we are studying shape-selective catalytic conversion of multi-ring compounds. The products of such reactions are intermediates for making value-added chemicals, monomers of advanced polymer materials, or components of advanced jet fuels. Two broad strategic approaches can be used for making chemicals and materials from coals. The first is the indirect approach: conversion of coals to liquids, followed by transformation of compounds in the liquids into value-added products. The second is direct conversion of coals to materials and chemicals. Both approaches are being explored in this laboratory. In this paper, we will give an account of our recent work on (1) shape-selective catalysis which demonstrates that high-value chemicals can be obtained from aromatic compounds by catalytic conversion over certain zeolites; and (2) catalyticmore » graphitization of anthracites, which reveals that using some metal compounds promotes graphitization at lower temperatures and may lead to a more efficient process for making graphites from coals.« less