A Novel Oxidation Process for the Conversion of Coal to Diesel Fuel-Grade Chemicals

73013S03-I During the past two decades, as imported oil gradually has become more expensive, considerable research and development efforts have been directed toward the economic production of liquid fuels and chemicals from domestic coal and natural gas supplies. This project will develop a novel accelerated oxidation process to derive diesel-fuel-grade chemicals from coal. The overall objectives are to demonstrate that process times can be reduced (i.e., the process rates can be accelerated using this technology) and that the heteroatom-free oxidation reagents can provide mild oxidation conditions in an economic and environment-friendly manner. Phase I will demonstrate the key concept of process acceleration, as well as improvements in product yield and product distribution using the proposed technology. An economic analysis will be updated to show that the process is cost effective and can achieve the product cost goals. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology could be used directly to generate coal-based transportation fuels in an economic and environment- friendly way. The technology to accelerate heterogeneous reactions also could be applied across a broader spectrum of processing applications involving coal and biomass.