Improving the quality of deteriorated recycle solvents. Quarterly report, August 1982-November 1982

Abstract

The overall objective of this work is to identify reasons for solvent degeneration and to determine a feasible mechanism whereby coal-liquefaction processes can be modified to inhibit solvent degradation during the liquefaction process. In this work, the response in product distribution (or oil yield) to different pre-treatment methods was investigated. In related past works, solvent quality was based solely on the amount of standard coal conversion. In this work, solvent quality was also determined with the use of a standard product separation procedure. A brief discussion of related past works is followed up by a discussion of current work in the area of upgrading deteriorated recycle solvents. The effect of solvent pre-treatment on quality during thermal (non-catalytic) and catalytic liquefaction of coal was examined, and a comparison was made. In addition, the effect of the presence of typical compounds found in coal liquids (e.g. pyrene), during solvent pre-treatment, on solvent quality was also investigated. 2 references, 3 figures, 5 tables.