Jane Edwards
A team of scientists and engineers at Battelle has developed a process that works to convert biomass-derived coal into jet fuel through a cost-sharing initiative backed by the Energy Department.
Battelle said Wednesday its hybrid process facilitated the production of syncrude from coal solvents at low pressure without using a catalyst or gaseous hydrogen.
The research team has raised the production of coal liquids and biosolvents to one ton a day and seeks to achieve technology readiness level 5 for the process.
Satya Chauhan, process development team lead at Battelle, said the process also seeks to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Chauhan has submitted patent applications for the process and plans to release the project’s results at the 2016 International Pittsburgh Coal Conference in South Africa in August, Battelle said.
The coal-to-liquids conversion process will eventually be transitioned into the commercial sector, the company added.
DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory and the Ohio Development Services Agency’s coal development office also supported the program.
