Catalytic Gasification of Coal Using Eutectic Salts: Recovery, Regeneration, and Recycle of Spent Eutectic Catalysts

Abstract

Catalyst recovery studies were conducted for gasified chars produced from steam gasification of Illinois #6 coal catalyzed with two different catalyst systems. A ternary (43.5 mol% Li2 CO3 –31.5 mol% Na2 CO3 –25 mol% K2 CO3 ) and a binary (29 mol% Na2 CO3 –71 mol% K2 CO3 ) eutectic catalyst system were used for gasifying coal. Various extraction schemes, such as water extraction, H2 SO4 extraction, and acetic acid extraction, were evaluated with respect to their extraction efficiencies. Effects of major process variables, such as solvent-to-char ratio, mixing time, temperature, and concentration, on the extraction efficiency were evaluated. A process schematic for the entire catalyst recovery, regeneration, and recycle scheme was developed and the preliminary process economics were determined based on these extraction schemes. H2 SO4 extraction was found to be the most desirable. It also turned out to be more attractive than a once-through throwaway system.