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Coal Liquefaction:
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It is a process in which coal is converted into liquid fuels or petrochemicals.
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There are several processes used to accomplish this task, the two most common being the “indirect route” and the “direct route”.
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Indirect Route:
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It is composed of 2 steps:
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First, coal is gasified with steam and oxygen to produce a synthesis gas (syngas), which is then cleaned to rid of dust, tar, and acid gases.
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The second step reacts the synthesis gas with a catalyst in the Fischer-Tropsch process which converts the syngas into a range of hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel and methanol.
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Direct Route:
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In this coal is pulverized and reacted with a catalyst, then hydrogen is added under high pressures and temperatures in the presence of a solvent to produce a raw liquid fuel.
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This raw fuel requires refining in order to yield acceptable transportation fuels.
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