IMPROVED CERAMIC CATALYST SUPPORTS FOR COAL LIQUEFACTION

THROUGH FABRICATION AND TESTING, THIS PROJECT WILL DEMONSTRATE AN INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR FABRICATING CERAMIC CATALYST SUPPORTS THAT OFFERS THE POTENTIAL OF LOWER PRODUCTION COST AND AN IMPROVED PRODUCT FOR USE IN HIGH TEMPERATURE CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENTS. PHASE I WILL INCLUDE SEVERAL STEPS: FABRICATING INITIAL SILICON CARBIDE CATALYST SUPPORTS FOR TESTING THEIR MECHANICAL, PHYSICAL AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES; MODIFYING THE FABRICATION PROCESS TO FORM IMPROVED CERAMIC CATALYST SUPPORTS; TESTING THESE IMPROVED SUPPORTS AND THEN EVALUATING THEIR PERFORMANCE IN A COAL LIQUEFACTION REACTOR; AND RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR DESIGN AND FABRICATION PROCESS FOR EVALUATION IN PHASE II.