Coal liquefaction

Common card · No. 310706

Coal liquefaction is a chemical process that converts solid coal into liquid hydrocarbons, including synthetic fuels and petrochemicals. Often referred to as "coal-to-liquids" (CTL) or more broadly "carbon-to-X" (where X represents various hydrocarbon-based products), coal liquefaction offers an alternative to conventional petroleum-derived fuels. The process can be classified into two main approaches: direct liquefaction (DCL), which chemically transforms coal into liquid products using high pressure and hydrogen, and indirect liquefaction (ICL), which first gasifies coal into synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) that is subsequently converted into liquid fuels, often through the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Coal liquefaction has played a significant historical role, particularly in countries lacking domestic oil reserves. It was extensively developed in Germany during the early 20th century and used to supply fuels during World War II. In the 1950s, South Africa adopted...

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