West Virginia University can convert Coal into Crude Oil. They can do it directly and efficiently, and they can include renewable agricultural products and Carbon-recycling wastes in the starting mix. And, I, for one, would like to know why that isnt headline news in every newspaper in the state of West Virginia. One example of their technology is disclosed in the very recent: United States Patent 8,597,503 - Coal Liquefaction System; December 3, 2013; Inventors: Alfred H. Stiller and Elliot B. Kennel, Morgantown, WV; Assignee: West Virginia University. Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coal liquefaction system for utilizing a hydrogenated vegetable oil to liquefy coal. In another aspect of the invention, the methods and systems may produce a slurry of coal liquids and undissolved coal particles. The slurry may be further refined to produce a pitch, which may be considered a final product or alternatively may be upgraded to produce lighter hydrocarbon synthetic crude for fuels and chemicals. The full Disclosure reveals that the resulting product is perfectly suitable as feed to what seems a standard petroleum refinery. Other of WVUs inventions specify that sewage sludge can be processed and used up right along with the Coal, and, that, the leftover ash can be used up and consumed in making cement. More about all of that can be learned via: wvcoal/Research-Development/wvu-coal-liquefaction-system.html
Posted on: Wed, 05 Feb 2014 12:10:44 +0000