IRON, SULFIDE CATALYSTS FOR COAL-LIQUEFACTION PREPARED USING A MICELLAR TECHNIQUE

We have recently synthesized nanometer-size iron sulfide catalysts usi ng a reverse micellar system. These particles are 40-70 nm in size and were used in laboratory-scale coal-liquefaction experiments. The cata lyst particles were impregnated in situ on coal particles. The catalys t loading was 1.67% with respect to coal. The Liquefaction run was car ried out at 400 degrees C for 30 min, at a pressure of 1000 psia H-2(g ) measured at ambient temperature (corresponding to approximately 2000 psia at reaction conditions), in the absence of any solvent or hydrog en donor. The total conversion, as well as the yields of asphaltene pl us preasphaltene and oil plus gas, increased after the run, relative t o a thermal (noncatalytic) run. The activity of the micellar catalyst is slightly less than that of a nonmicellar catalyst, However, a sligh tly higher selectivity to oil plus gas is observed with the micellar c atalyst.