Low severity coal liquefaction promoted by cyclic olefins. Quarterly report, January--March 1992

Abstract

The naphthalene hydrogenation performed thermally at 350 and 400{degrees}C showed no reactivity of the naphthalene. The Molyvan L catalyst precursor promoted a small amount of hydrogenation of naphthalene at 400{degrees}C as shown in Table 1. Reaction at the higher initial pressure of 1250 psi resulted in slightly more conversion of naplithalene and a higher production of tetralin but no decalin was observed. The naphthalene hydrogenation reactions with Molyvan L without sulfur yielded a slightly higher % HYD of naphthalene than did the reactions with sulfur. Likewise, the reactions with an initial hydrogen pressure of 1250 psi yielded a higher % HYD of naphthalene than did the reaction with 1000 psi, regardless of whether sulfur was present. The Molyvan 822 catalyst precursor was substantially more active at 400{degrees}C than at 350{degrees}C as presented in Table 2. The presence of sulfur also promoted the activity of Molyvan 822 as a catalyst. Tetralin was the product and was produced in substantial quantities at 400{degrees}C. Molyvan 822 was much more active for naphthalene hydrogenation than was Molyvan L under equivalent conditions. For example, at 400{degrees}C with sulfur the reactions with Molyvan 822 produced 33.5% HYD while Molyvan L yielded 1.8% HYD. With Molyvan L, the less active catalyst, the effect tile mode of agitation (vertical or horizontal) was minimal.