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Maximizing the Value of Differential Utilization of Coal Author/Source: Sinochem New Network Date: July 29, 2020 Clicks: 79 ——A Report on the Shenmu Tianyuan Demonstration Site of the **Key Laboratory for Differential and Clean Conversion of Coal “Adhering to technological leadership and environmental protection, and establishing a clean, efficient, and complete technological industry chain is the way to promote the differential utilization of coal and maximize the value of these resources.” The preliminary version of the technical solution is now taking shape, and the large-scale industrial project for the comprehensive utilization of 6.6 million tons per year of coal dust is expected to commence construction within this year. ”On July 17, during an interview at the **Key Laboratory for High-Quality Clean Conversion of Energy Coal – Shenmu Tianyuan Experimental Demonstration Base**, Li Xiuhui, general manager of Shanxi Coal Group Shenmu Tianyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., said as much. Coal accounts for 96% of China’s fossil fuel reserves, and the energy structure dominated by coal is unlikely to change for a long time to come. The clean and efficient conversion as well as differentiated utilization of coal represent key areas and main focuses of energy strategies. Low-temperature pyrolysis technology for low-grade coal is an important method for achieving the differentiated utilization and clean, efficient conversion of coal, with pulverized coal pyrolysis being a key focus and challenge in research and development within this field. However, due to some technical challenges that have not yet been fully overcome, industrial plants capable of operating stably over long periods remain extremely rare. The first **Key Laboratory for Clean and Graded Conversion of Energy Coal**, established under the leadership of Shaanxi Coal Group, was set up in Shaanxi in August 2012; Shenmu Tianyuan was designated as the experimental and demonstration base for this key laboratory. Since its establishment, the base has achieved remarkable results in the fields of coal pyrolysis and the comprehensive utilization of medium- and low-temperature coal tar. Previously, Shenmu Tianyuan invested in research efforts to study the pyrolysis of low-grade coal dust, and by collaborating with Hualu Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., it developed a pyrolysis technology for low-grade coal dust that possesses independent intellectual property rights. In 2012, the research project on the technology for producing anthracite through the rotary pyrolysis of 50,000 tons per year of low-rank coal powder was launched. On this basis, Shenmu Tianyuan planned an industrial project for the comprehensive and differentiated utilization of 6.6 million tons per year of coal dust; the first phase of this project, which involved a demonstration facility with a capacity of 600,000 tons per year, was able to produce qualified products by completing its production process in May 2019. On November 26 of the same year, the development and application project of a large-scale industrial rotary pyrolysis system for low-grade coal dust was evaluated by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation as a scientific and technological achievement that has reached an internationally leading level. “Medium and low-temperature pyrolysis involves the thermal decomposition of raw coal in an air-free environment to produce three phases of substances: gas (pyrolysis gas), liquid (coal tar), and solid (semi-coke, also known as lignite). Compared with traditional pressurized gasification, this technology features mild reactions, low energy consumption, and reduced investment; it does not destroy the molecular structure of coal, just as coal resources were formed through natural processes over long periods of time. ” Li Xiuhui said that the raw materials suitable for this device are high-volatility coal types such as powdered lignite, long-flame coal, weakly caking coal, and non-caking coal with particle sizes ranging from 0 to 30 millimeters. By utilizing new technologies such as rotary drying and low-temperature pyrolysis in rotary reactors, it is possible to produce improved quality coke powder, coal tar, raw gas, as well as various products derived from further processing of these materials. Among them, effective components such as CO, H2, and CH4 in the gas account for over 80%; CH4 can be separated to produce LNG, while CO and H2 can be used to synthesize various chemicals, and pure hydrogen can also be extracted to develop hydrogen energy. Solid-state upgraded coke powder products can be manufactured in a customized manner to meet users’ requirements through process adjustments. For example, coke powder with a volatile matter and ash content of less than 10% is required for injection into steelmaking blast furnaces; whereas for power generation coal and clean fuel for domestic use, higher levels of volatiles and calorific value are needed. It can also be used as a reducing agent, as a substitute for anthracite, or as an adsorbent material. Coal tar contains naphthenes, aromatics, as well as compounds such as phenols, naphthalenes, and quinones; some of these substances can be processed further to yield fine chemicals with higher economic value. Using conventional hydrogenation methods to produce lightened oils not only wastes their valuable resources but also pollutes the environment. Shenmu Tianyuan has independently carried out technical research on the extraction of phenolic compounds from medium- and low-temperature coal tar, and has mastered the key technologies for phenol extraction. In October 2013, the 22,000 tons per year medium- and low-temperature coal tar phenol extraction plant at Shenmu Tianyuan was put into operation, using the phenol oil generated during pretreatment as raw material to produce products such as phenol, o-cresol, m-p-cresol, and xylene. After more than 2 years of research and development, Shenmu Tianyuan has utilized multi-component complex extraction to produce high-quality refined asphalt (coal-based carbon material) from the tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds present in coal tar, with quinoline insolubles at less than 0.04%. At the end of December 2019, the project for producing carbon materials from 120,000 tons per year of medium- and low-temperature coal tar was put into trial operation; qualified products were produced in May this year. Currently, the facility is operating stably and the manufacturing process is being optimized. Refined asphalt can be further processed into high-end carbon materials such as needle coke, carbon, ultra-high power electrodes, and lithium battery anode materials. Leveraging the **Key Laboratory for Clean Transformation of Energy Coal by Differentiation, Shenmu Tianyuan has always regarded technology research and development as the driving force for high-quality development. By expanding the upstream and downstream industrial chains related to coal tar, it has introduced a number of technologies that drive innovative progress in the industry. To date, the company has developed over 100 innovative and transformative achievements in total, and filed more than 100 patents, of which 76 have been granted. Meanwhile, Shenmu Tianyuan is developing new projects for phenolic-based new materials and the production of aromatics from lightweight coal tar; the preliminary tests and related results have been completed, and the conditions for industrial-scale implementation are in place. The project for producing 3,500 tons per year of phenolic-based new materials is set to begin operations within this year. Li Xiuhui said that in the future, Shenmu Tianyuan will build on research and development in technologies for the comprehensive utilization of coal based on its different quality levels, focusing on the development and utilization of clean energy, new materials, and fine chemicals, in order to achieve a clustered, refined, and high-end development of the entire industry chain related to the differentiated use of coal.