Coking PK Coal Refining
Thread Content
Delayed coking involves the catalytic conversion of some heavy oils into carbon, while coal refining transforms coal into finished oils. These are two completely opposite processes, and both exist in China at present; moreover, coal refining is seeing increasing development, with more coking plants being built across the country. Which one is the correct approach? Which one has better prospects for development? What about in 20 years, 50 years, or 100 years from now?
Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Coal liquefaction is feasible because coal itself is relatively cheap; petroleum coking is used because oil is expensive. The cost of producing oil from coal is also high, much higher than that of producing gas from coal. With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, producing oil from coal does not have a promising future.
After all, oil resources are limited; there will come a day when there will be nothing left to refine. China is relatively rich in coal resources, which can be used to produce oil as a substitute for gasoline and diesel; the prospects are very good
It is understood that China’s currently proven reserves of crude oil can last for 30–40 years, while those of coal can last for over 60 years. Of course, as exploration technologies advance, the reserves of both crude oil and coal will increase. If coal is converted into oil, it can extend the usage period of the oil, while simultaneously reducing the usage lifespan of crude oil. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on coal-to-chemicals conversion as a technical reserve; however, any move in this direction should be approached with great caution. **Last year, projects for converting coal into oil were restricted, as the entities involved in such projects are actually more interested in gaining control over coal resources, given the substantial profits associated with coal production. Currently, coal-to-oil production generates no profit at all; even during last year’s high oil prices, it was not profitable. The key at present is to accelerate research on new energy sources as well as on different forms of energy utilization; by changing the way internal combustion engines use energy, it is possible to break free from dependence on oil.