A critical review on direct catalytic hydrogasification of coal into CH_(4):catalysis process configurations,evaluations,and prospects

Coal catalytic hydrogasification(CCHG)is a straightforward approach for producing CH_(4),which shows advantages over the mature coal-to-CH_(4) technologies from the perspectives of CH_(4) yield,thermal efficiency,and CO_(2) emission.The core of CCHG is to make carbon in coal convert into CH_(4) efficiently with a catalyst.In the past decades,intensive research has been devoted to catalytic hydrogasification of model carbon(pitch coke,activated carbon,coal char).However,the chemical process of CCHG is still not well understood because the coal structure is more complicated,and CCHG is a combination of coal catalytic hydropyrolysis and coal char catalytic hydrogasification.This review seeks to shed light on the catalytic process of raw coal during CCHG.The configuration of suitable catalysts,operating conditions,and feedstocks for tailoring CH_(4) formation were identified,and the underlying mechanisms were elucidated.Based on these results,the CCHG process was evaluated,emphasizing pollutant emissions,energy efficiency,and reactor design.Furthermore,the opportunities and strategic approaches for CCHG under the restraint of carbon neutrality were highlighted by considering the penetration of“green”H2,biomass,and CO_(2) into CCHG.Preliminary investigations from our laboratories demonstrated that the integrated CCHG and biomass/CO_(2) hydrogenation process could perform as an emerging pathway for boosting CH_(4) production by consuming fewer fossil fuels,fulfilling the context of green manufacturing.This work not only provides systematic knowledge of CCHG but also helps to guide the efficient hydrogenation of other carbonaceous resources such as biomass,CO_(2),and coal-derived wastes.

Direct transformation of fossil carbon into chemicals: A review

Despite the long tradition of fossil carbon(coal,char,and related carbon-based materials)for fueling mankind,the science of transforming them into chemicals is still demandingly progressing in the current energy scenario,especially when considering its responsibilities to the global climate change.Traditionally,there are four routes of preparing chemicals directly from fossil carbon,including hydrogasification,gasification,direct liquefaction,and oxidation,in the macroscope of gas-solid reaction(hydrogasification and gasification)and liquid-solid reaction(direct liquefaction and oxidation).When the study goes to microscale,the gas-solid reaction can be considered as the reaction between the severe condensed radicals and gas,while the liquid-solid reaction is the direct reaction between the radical and the activated-molecule.To have a full overview of the area,this review systematically summarizes the main factors in these processes and shows our own perspectives as follows,(ⅰ)stabilizing the free radicals generated from coal and then directly converting them has the highest efficiency in coal utilization;(ⅱ)the research on the self-catalytic process of coal structure will have a profound impact on the direct preparation of chemicals from fossil carbon.Further discussions are also proposed to guide the future study of the area into a more sustainable direction.