Methods And Apparatus For Producing Aromatics From Coal

Abstract

A method for converting coal into BTX in which feed coal is converted to a 600-700° F.− product stream by direct liquefaction. This product stream is hydrocracked and hydroprocessed to produce a 350° F.− stream which in turn is fractionated to produce a 160° F.− stream and a 160/350° F. stream that contains 85-90% naphthenes. The 160/350° F. stream is catalytically reformed to produce an aromatic stream and a 160° F.− paraffinic stream. The aromatics stream can be separated into benzene toluene and xylene streams by distillation.

1 . A method for producing aromatics from coal comprising the steps of:
 a. producing a 1000 F− product stream from feed coal by direct coal liquefaction (DCL);   b. hydrocracking the 1000° F.− product stream to produce a 350° F.− product stream;   c. fractionating the 350° F.− product stream into 160/350° F. and lower boiling point streams; and   d. converting the 160/350° F. stream to aromatics and a lower boiling point stream by catalytic reforming.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fraction produced in step a is an 800° F.− fraction. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fraction produced in step a is a 600-700° F.− fraction. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further including gasifying bottoms produced in the direct coal liquefaction to produce hydrogen for supply to the direct coal liquefaction and hydrocracking steps. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  or  3  further including processing at least a portion of the lower boiling point streams to produce hydrogen for supply to the direct coal liquefaction and/or hydrocracking steps. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further including processing natural gas feed to produce hydrogen for supply to the direct coal liquefaction and hydrocracking steps. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further including separating aromatics produced in step d. into benzene toluene and xylene streams. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  or  3  wherein the lower boiling point stream in step c is a 160° F.− stream.