Solubilization of Coal and Bioconversion of Coal to Methane and Other Useful Products
Coal is contacted, or treated, with at least one aromatic alcohol and/or cycloaliphatic alcohol to solubilize at least a portion of the treated coal. The treated coal is optionally bioconverted to produce one or more hydrocarbons, such as methane.
1 . A method of treating coal comprising:
contacting coal with at least one member selected from the group consisting of aromatic alcohols and cycloaliphatic alcohols to solubilize at least a portion of the coal.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coal is fully solubilized as a result of said contacting.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coal is partially solubilized as a result of said contacting.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the coal is selected from the group consisting of lignite, brown coal, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, anthracite, and combinations thereof.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said contacting is carried out at a temperature of 0 to 300° C.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said contacting is carried out at a temperature of 10 to 200° C.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said contacting is carried out at a pH range of 5 to 10.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one member is an aromatic alcohol.
9 . The method of claim 1 further wherein the coal and said member is subjected to sonication during the contacting.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising treating with one or more bioconversion agents during or after said treating with said member.
11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising adding nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and metal catalysts before or during the contacting.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the bioconversion agent is at least one member selected from the group consisting of facultative anaerobes, acetogens, methanogens and fungi.
13 . The treated blend formed by the method of claim 1 .
14 . A composition comprised of the solubilized aromatic or cyclic alcohol derivatives of coal.
15 . A bioconversion method comprising:
contacting the treated coal of claim 1 with a bioconversion agent to bioconvert the coal.
16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the bioconversion agent comprises any or all of facultative anaerobes, acetogens, methanogens and fungi.
17 . The method of claim 15 wherein said bioconversion results in the formation of methane.