Coal Refining

Lignite coal is a readily available and abundant fuel source.  In the United States 46% of electrical power is produced from coal fired plants – but these plants also represent the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

This high ratio of greenhouse gases is caused by the ‘flashing off’ of valuable hydrocarbons as coal is burned.

Coal to oil schemes has long existed as a potential alternative to harnessing the BTU value of coal.  For example, variations or Fischer-Tropsch technology (invented in Germany prior to WW II) have been developed but, given high energy use, have only proven effective in very high oil price environments plus the environmental track record of these technologies has been poor.

TiPs has been extensively tested as a method for processing and refining coal.  TiPs captures the hydrocarbons normally lost in the burning process – converting 1 ton of coal into 1 barrel of highly aromatic oil (dependent on geography of the coal source).  Also during processing, TiPs removes moisture, thereby increasing the BTU value of the ‘Clean Coal’ solids.  Finally, as in tires, the greenhouse gases released during coal processing is similarly minimal.

Imagine buying a ton of coal for $50, processing it and selling the Bunker Oil, (see Southwest Research Report) for $130.00 per barrel (16% of the ton) and selling the remainder of the now “Clean Coal”, which has increased in BTU value up to 20% higher value proposition that the original ton purchased.