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Chinese and Dutch researchers make new breakthrough in coal indirect liquefaction technology; joint development of new catalyst to reduce costs. Author/Source: China Chemical Industry News. Date: 10-15-2018. Clicks: 3. Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Low-Carbon Clean Energy in China, together with institutions such as Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, have developed a new catalyst that can significantly reduce the costs associated with coal indirect liquefaction, opening up new possibilities for capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide generated during this process. Research published on December 12 in the American journal Science Advances shows that this new iron-based catalyst, with 100% purity and capable of maintaining stable catalytic activity for over 400 hours under industrial synthesis conditions, enables coal liquefaction with almost no carbon dioxide production during the \"Fischer-Tropsch synthesis\" step; all carbon dioxide is generated during the water-gas shift reaction, allowing it to be captured and utilized in one go, thereby **reducing greenhouse gas emissions**. Indirect coal liquefaction involves first reacting coal with oxygen and steam at high temperatures to gasify the coal completely and convert it into syngas. The composition of this syngas is then adjusted through a water-gas shift reaction, after which the Feistel synthesis takes place under the action of catalysts to turn the syngas into hydrocarbons. Further processing enables the production of gasoline, alcoholic fuels, and various chemicals. “\"Fischer-Tropsch synthesis\" is one of the core technologies for the indirect liquefaction of coal, and iron-based catalysts are generally used. Traditional iron-based catalysts convert about 30% of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide at this stage; not only is it difficult to capture and utilize this carbon dioxide, but it also consumes a large amount of energy. Wang Peng, the lead author of the paper and a senior engineer at the Beijing Institute of Low-Carbon Clean Energy, told Xinhua News Agency reporters that by using their new iron-based catalyst, a coal liquefaction plant with an annual oil production capacity of 4 million tons could save around 800 million yuan per year in costs related to compressed heating energy consumption and carbon dioxide separation. New technologies will also enable the integration of coal indirect liquefaction technology with carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage technologies to achieve efficient and clean utilization of coal resources. Coal liquefaction technology is particularly suitable for regions with abundant coal resources, as it helps reduce dependence on oil. China is the world’s largest coal market, and it is estimated that by 2020, the coal liquefaction industry will account for 15% of China’s coal consumption. It is reported that this research was supported by the key R&D program “Development of Advanced Coal Indirect Liquefaction and Product Processing Technology Packages”, which is undertaken by China’s **Energy Group**. Men Zhuowu, a professor-level engineer at the Beijing Institute of Low-Carbon Clean Energy, said, “This research provides the world with an unprecedented method for synthesizing pure-phase iron carbide, opening new avenues for future researchers.” ”