Confidence
0.80
Practicability
0.70
Evidence
0.40
Fringe Score
0.20
Risk
0.30
TRL
7
Goal
Convert coal and other carbonaceous materials into useful gases, oils, and solid fuels through low-temperature carbonization.
Problem
Inefficient utilization of coal and the need for alternative fuel sources and chemical feedstocks.
Concept Summary
A series of patented processes and apparatuses that apply controlled heating, steam superheating, and retorting to carbonaceous materials to produce gas, oil, coke, and other products at temperatures lower than traditional coke ovens.
Principles
- Thermal decomposition
- Destructive distillation
- Steam superheating
- Gasification
Scientific Domains
Materials
- Coal
- Bituminous liquids
- Carbonaceous material
- Oil shale
Mechanisms of Action
- Heat-induced pyrolysis of coal
- Steam-driven gasification
- Low-temperature retorting
Energy Sources
Applications
- Fuel production
- Chemical feedstock generation
- Energy recovery from low-rank coal
Limitations
- Dependence on coal availability
- Energy input for heating
