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New coal chemistry
Book Reviews
The Desulfurization James
of Heavy
Oils and Residua
G. Speight
Marcel Dekker, New York and Easel, 213 pp., SFr. 102.00
It has been pointed out that the threatened ‘energy crisis’ will not be a total energy crisis but rather a growing deficiency of transportation fuels. Coal, the resources of which are adequate, even at a greatly increased consumption, for the foreseable future, can replace petroleum fuel oil for electricity generation and for industrial and domestic heating either directly or via low or medium C.V. gas or SNG. Feasible processes for the manufacture of these coal gases are either in commercial operation or are sufficiently developed to allow immediate large-scale industrial implementation. However, the techniques for producing syncrude by the pyrolysis and/or the hydrogenation of coal are still a long way from commercial application. In the medium term, it will be the objective of petroleum refining to maximize the output of gasoline and diesel fuel at the expense of heavier oils and residua and before such heavier feedstocks can be cracked to the lighter products suitable for conversion to satisfactory automotive fuels, they will require desulphurizing. Even when the production of syncrude from coal is commercialized, desulphurization is likely to be a necessary prior step in its refining. This monograph is therefore timely and will be required reading for, and a necessary addition to the libraries of, oil-refining and coal-conversion technologists. It is an excellent succint survey of the current knowledge, and
speculations, on the nature and properties of petroleum heavy oils and residua, the mechanism and kinetics of their catalytic hydrodesulphurization and of the catalysts, plant conditions and commercial processes for this purpose. This book will also be a useful reference source for a wider readership for its lists of the properties of crude oils from a wide range of sources and of their vacuum and atmospheric residua, for the collected data on the contents of naphthenic acids, metals and trace elements in crude petroleum and for the general description of such refinery processes as visbreaking, catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, delayed and fluid coking, deasphalting and the production of hydrogen by steam-methane or steam-naphtha cracking and via synthesis gas. The author is to be congratulated on the style and clarity of his exposition and the meticulous editing. Only two very minor errors - ‘stream’ instead of ‘steam’ on page 203 and ‘haptha’ instead of ‘naphtha’ on page 207 were noted. The book is well produced, particularly the graphs and flowsheets and at today’s prices represents good value.
Donald McNeil
(1981)
New Coal Chemistry A Royal Society
Discussion
The Royal Society,
London,
organized
The recent surge in the cost of oil has provided the stimulus for a renewal of interest in the conversion of coal to gaseous and liquid products for use as fuels or chemical feedstocks and this volume furnishes further evidence of the importance which is now being attached to this topic. The book contains the 17 papers presented at a Royal Society Discussion Meeting held in May 1980, together with the discussion which followed the papers. Six of these papers are concerned with the chemical and physical structure of coal, eight were presented under the banner of applied coal technology and three were forward looking papers on the coal chemistry deemed to be of importance at the turn of the century.
308
FUEL, 1982, Vol 61, March
by A. Spinks, J. M. Thomas and J. Gibson
1981, 215 pp., f25.50
The papers on the chemical and physical structure of coal, highlight some of the more recent work necessitated by the requirement for a detailed fundamental knowledge of coal to meet the demands imposed by the development of the conversion processes. In coal processing, not only is a detailed understanding of the chemical structure of coal and coal-derived materials desirable, but the parts played by the coal physical structure in the form of the microstructure and the microporosity and by the various metallic elements present in coal, are of considerable importance. All of these topics are the subject of which feature the use of recent contributions developments in n.m.r., high-resolution electron
Book Reviews chapter deals with coal as a source of chemical feedstocks when oil is no longer able to fulfill this role and the conclusion is reached that it is likely that within the next decade chemicals from coal via synthesis gas will be economically competitive. The breath of the contributions in this book make it useful to a wide readership in the coal, oil and gas industries. There is something for both the research worker and for the research manager and the book can claim to be timely in reviewing the important research which has been carried out in this area of interest which can only become of greater significance with the passage of time and increasing oil and gas costs. The book is well prepared, it is easy to read and the reproduction of the illustrations is good. At g25.50 it may not be in the range of many individuals but it represents good value and must represent a sound acquisition for many libraries. The style of the individual authors varies a little but overall the presentation is good and the organizers of the Discussion can be complemented on their efforts which fulfill their expressed hope that this book should provide a useful guide to present technology and to future priorities for new work.
microscopy, and e.s.r. as well as more commonly used chemical methods and techniques. The majority of the papers on the subject of applied coal technology described developments in liquefaction and gasification processes including the established Sasol route, the Shell-Koppers high-pressure gasification process, the at present ill-fated SRC-11 process, the Exxon donor solvent liquefaction process and the Mobil route based on their methanol to gasoline process. The current position in the Federal Republic of Germany with regard to both liquefaction and gasification is also succinctly reviewed in the book. The problems associated with sulpur dioxide emission from coal-fired power stations in the US is discussed in the light of current legislation and the known coal reserves and another contribution deals with the use ofcoal as a raw material for the production of different types of carbon. In the section looking ahead to the coal chemistry, A.D. 2000, the National Coal Board processes for the formation of liquid products, i.e. the liquid-solvent and the supercritical-gas extraction processes, are described and the chemical nature of the extracts is discussed. In the contribution on coal-based complexes these processes are incorporated into the concept of coalplexes whereby various unit processes are combined together with the aim of improving the economics of coal conversion. The final
The Chemistry Herman
Academic
John W Patrick (1981)
of Catalytic
Hydrocarbon
Conversions
Pines
Press Inc., London,
The author covers the topic of catalytic hydrocarbon conversion reactions fully yet concisely in rather less than 300 pages. The first third of the book is devoted to the extensive subject of the acid-catalysed reactions on which the interconversion reactions of the petroleum and petrochemicals are mainly based. The mechanisms of many of the reactions are well illustrated and a reader unfamiliar with the field is amply informed by tabulated results indicating the extent of conversions and yields achieved under typical process conditions with particular catalysts. The importance of the strength of the acid in this type of catalyst is stressed, and appropriate data presented in the form of Hammet’s acidity function. The section devoted to catalytic cracking is abreast with recent technology: it includes a description of the catalysts based on the crystalline alumino-silicates known as zeolites and describes the influence on the selectivity of these catalysts to hydrocarbon molecules of limited size due to their regular crystalline structure and uniform pore size. The base-catalysed reactions section follows a similar format and contrasts these, where appropriate, with the acidcatalysed reactions; for example, draws attention to the possibility of enlarging the alkyl group in an arylalkane with an olefin using the base-catalysed reaction rather than alkylation of the nucleus. Following the two chapters
1981, 305 pp., f 23.20
concerned with heterogeneous hydrogenation and dehydrogenation and aromatization, once again well illustrated with catalyst types, mechanisms and reaction conditions, the author then deals with oxidation. The section dealing with the vapour phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons contains much less detail for naphthalene and o-xylene oxidation, particularly with regard to typical catalyst compositions, than those dealing with the alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes and the last section on liquid phase oxidation. The chapter on homogeneous catalysts stresses the high selectivity achievable by this means and after dealing with hydrogenation the author moves to carbonylation and the hydroformylation (0x0) reaction and then makes a departure from the purely hydrocarbon theme to include the carbonylation of methanol. The section on oligomerization of alkenes and dienes rather surprisingly stops short of polymerization to high-molecular-weight polymers. The mechanistic sequences, catalyst types etc. which illustrate the previous chapters continue in that devoted to disproportionation (metathesis) of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The final chapter concerned with synthetic fuels, destined to be of considerable importance in the future, includes a description of the Mobil Oil Corporation process for converting methanol
FUEL, 1982, Vol 61, March
309
The Desulfurization James
of Heavy
Oils and Residua
G. Speight
Marcel Dekker, New York and Easel, 213 pp., SFr. 102.00
It has been pointed out that the threatened ‘energy crisis’ will not be a total energy crisis but rather a growing deficiency of transportation fuels. Coal, the resources of which are adequate, even at a greatly increased consumption, for the foreseable future, can replace petroleum fuel oil for electricity generation and for industrial and domestic heating either directly or via low or medium C.V. gas or SNG. Feasible processes for the manufacture of these coal gases are either in commercial operation or are sufficiently developed to allow immediate large-scale industrial implementation. However, the techniques for producing syncrude by the pyrolysis and/or the hydrogenation of coal are still a long way from commercial application. In the medium term, it will be the objective of petroleum refining to maximize the output of gasoline and diesel fuel at the expense of heavier oils and residua and before such heavier feedstocks can be cracked to the lighter products suitable for conversion to satisfactory automotive fuels, they will require desulphurizing. Even when the production of syncrude from coal is commercialized, desulphurization is likely to be a necessary prior step in its refining. This monograph is therefore timely and will be required reading for, and a necessary addition to the libraries of, oil-refining and coal-conversion technologists. It is an excellent succint survey of the current knowledge, and
speculations, on the nature and properties of petroleum heavy oils and residua, the mechanism and kinetics of their catalytic hydrodesulphurization and of the catalysts, plant conditions and commercial processes for this purpose. This book will also be a useful reference source for a wider readership for its lists of the properties of crude oils from a wide range of sources and of their vacuum and atmospheric residua, for the collected data on the contents of naphthenic acids, metals and trace elements in crude petroleum and for the general description of such refinery processes as visbreaking, catalytic cracking, hydrocracking, delayed and fluid coking, deasphalting and the production of hydrogen by steam-methane or steam-naphtha cracking and via synthesis gas. The author is to be congratulated on the style and clarity of his exposition and the meticulous editing. Only two very minor errors - ‘stream’ instead of ‘steam’ on page 203 and ‘haptha’ instead of ‘naphtha’ on page 207 were noted. The book is well produced, particularly the graphs and flowsheets and at today’s prices represents good value.
Donald McNeil
(1981)
New Coal Chemistry A Royal Society
Discussion
The Royal Society,
London,
organized
The recent surge in the cost of oil has provided the stimulus for a renewal of interest in the conversion of coal to gaseous and liquid products for use as fuels or chemical feedstocks and this volume furnishes further evidence of the importance which is now being attached to this topic. The book contains the 17 papers presented at a Royal Society Discussion Meeting held in May 1980, together with the discussion which followed the papers. Six of these papers are concerned with the chemical and physical structure of coal, eight were presented under the banner of applied coal technology and three were forward looking papers on the coal chemistry deemed to be of importance at the turn of the century.
308
FUEL, 1982, Vol 61, March
by A. Spinks, J. M. Thomas and J. Gibson
1981, 215 pp., f25.50
The papers on the chemical and physical structure of coal, highlight some of the more recent work necessitated by the requirement for a detailed fundamental knowledge of coal to meet the demands imposed by the development of the conversion processes. In coal processing, not only is a detailed understanding of the chemical structure of coal and coal-derived materials desirable, but the parts played by the coal physical structure in the form of the microstructure and the microporosity and by the various metallic elements present in coal, are of considerable importance. All of these topics are the subject of which feature the use of recent contributions developments in n.m.r., high-resolution electron
Book Reviews chapter deals with coal as a source of chemical feedstocks when oil is no longer able to fulfill this role and the conclusion is reached that it is likely that within the next decade chemicals from coal via synthesis gas will be economically competitive. The breath of the contributions in this book make it useful to a wide readership in the coal, oil and gas industries. There is something for both the research worker and for the research manager and the book can claim to be timely in reviewing the important research which has been carried out in this area of interest which can only become of greater significance with the passage of time and increasing oil and gas costs. The book is well prepared, it is easy to read and the reproduction of the illustrations is good. At g25.50 it may not be in the range of many individuals but it represents good value and must represent a sound acquisition for many libraries. The style of the individual authors varies a little but overall the presentation is good and the organizers of the Discussion can be complemented on their efforts which fulfill their expressed hope that this book should provide a useful guide to present technology and to future priorities for new work.
microscopy, and e.s.r. as well as more commonly used chemical methods and techniques. The majority of the papers on the subject of applied coal technology described developments in liquefaction and gasification processes including the established Sasol route, the Shell-Koppers high-pressure gasification process, the at present ill-fated SRC-11 process, the Exxon donor solvent liquefaction process and the Mobil route based on their methanol to gasoline process. The current position in the Federal Republic of Germany with regard to both liquefaction and gasification is also succinctly reviewed in the book. The problems associated with sulpur dioxide emission from coal-fired power stations in the US is discussed in the light of current legislation and the known coal reserves and another contribution deals with the use ofcoal as a raw material for the production of different types of carbon. In the section looking ahead to the coal chemistry, A.D. 2000, the National Coal Board processes for the formation of liquid products, i.e. the liquid-solvent and the supercritical-gas extraction processes, are described and the chemical nature of the extracts is discussed. In the contribution on coal-based complexes these processes are incorporated into the concept of coalplexes whereby various unit processes are combined together with the aim of improving the economics of coal conversion. The final
The Chemistry Herman
Academic
John W Patrick (1981)
of Catalytic
Hydrocarbon
Conversions
Pines
Press Inc., London,
The author covers the topic of catalytic hydrocarbon conversion reactions fully yet concisely in rather less than 300 pages. The first third of the book is devoted to the extensive subject of the acid-catalysed reactions on which the interconversion reactions of the petroleum and petrochemicals are mainly based. The mechanisms of many of the reactions are well illustrated and a reader unfamiliar with the field is amply informed by tabulated results indicating the extent of conversions and yields achieved under typical process conditions with particular catalysts. The importance of the strength of the acid in this type of catalyst is stressed, and appropriate data presented in the form of Hammet’s acidity function. The section devoted to catalytic cracking is abreast with recent technology: it includes a description of the catalysts based on the crystalline alumino-silicates known as zeolites and describes the influence on the selectivity of these catalysts to hydrocarbon molecules of limited size due to their regular crystalline structure and uniform pore size. The base-catalysed reactions section follows a similar format and contrasts these, where appropriate, with the acidcatalysed reactions; for example, draws attention to the possibility of enlarging the alkyl group in an arylalkane with an olefin using the base-catalysed reaction rather than alkylation of the nucleus. Following the two chapters
1981, 305 pp., f 23.20
concerned with heterogeneous hydrogenation and dehydrogenation and aromatization, once again well illustrated with catalyst types, mechanisms and reaction conditions, the author then deals with oxidation. The section dealing with the vapour phase oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons contains much less detail for naphthalene and o-xylene oxidation, particularly with regard to typical catalyst compositions, than those dealing with the alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes and the last section on liquid phase oxidation. The chapter on homogeneous catalysts stresses the high selectivity achievable by this means and after dealing with hydrogenation the author moves to carbonylation and the hydroformylation (0x0) reaction and then makes a departure from the purely hydrocarbon theme to include the carbonylation of methanol. The section on oligomerization of alkenes and dienes rather surprisingly stops short of polymerization to high-molecular-weight polymers. The mechanistic sequences, catalyst types etc. which illustrate the previous chapters continue in that devoted to disproportionation (metathesis) of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The final chapter concerned with synthetic fuels, destined to be of considerable importance in the future, includes a description of the Mobil Oil Corporation process for converting methanol
FUEL, 1982, Vol 61, March
309