BINARY IRON-OXIDE CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT COAL-LIQUEFACTION

Highly dispersed ferrihydrite, Si/ferrihydrite, and Al/ferrihydrite ca talysts have been synthesized with simple precipitation methods. The a verage particle sizes of all three catalysts are less than 100 Angstro m. The binary Si/ferrihydrite and Al/ferrihydrite catalysts show no pa rticle agglomeration at temperatures up to 400 degrees C. Results of c oal liquefaction tests indicate that the catalysts are as effective as or better than a commercial iron catalyst.