By 2030, world demand for liquid fuels in the transportation sector is expected to increase to 58% of all liquid fuel consumption and the competition for world-wide petroleum resources is on the increase. Renewable energy resources are still not available in adequate quantity and therefore not ready for the market so you have to think of a secure and affordable alternative energy supply - coal.

America has ample coal supplies to meet the needs of both electricity generation and production of liquid fuels, which can be achieved with established coal-to-liquids technology (CTL).

CTL has been used outside the U.S for decades, South-Africa for example has been producing coal-derived fuel since 1955. In order to generate liquid products from coal ranging from petrol to heavy oil there are two alternative processes: Indirect liquefaction and direct liquefaction.

Indirect liquefaction also referred to as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, produces gas with steam from red hot coal, which reacts with catalysts to hydrocarbons.

In the Bergius process or direct liquefaction process finely ground coal is suspended in heavy oil. At a pressure of 200-300 bar, oxygen is allowed to react at 932° Fahrenheit. The whole process and the desired end product can be controlled by parameters like catalyst addition and temperature.

URACA supplied six high-pressure reciprocating pump units for the first industrial plant worldwide for direct coal hydrogenation in Mongolia. The first trial operation had already run successfully for 300 hours.

The advantages of coal-to-liquids technology are simple but impressive:

• CTL fuels will work in existing engines and distribution systems without modification
• CTL fuels are much cleaner than petroleum derived fuels, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced up to 20% compared to conventional oil products
• For all countries with large coal reserves like U.S.A., coal liquefaction is becoming increasingly economical
• Various types of coal, including low-quality coal can be used to produce a variety of fuels: diesel, gasoline, jet fuel etc.

The technology for CTL fuel conversion is constantly being researched for ways to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact, but one thing is for certain, CTL projects will play a major role in the future energy policy of countries with large coal reserves. As a country with huge coal reserves, the United States will benefits from this technology. CTL technology may play a larger role as part of the US independent energy policy over the next few decades.

Pumps and equipment offered by Chemac Inc for CTL and other energy conversion processes include:

• Plunger pumps for hot oil, slurries, sludge, acids, and other difficult mediums up to 315° C.
• High pressure and temperature valves

For more information or product inquiries, please email or call toll free 1-800-217-8677.

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