CO-PROCESSING OF ALBERTA SUBBITUMINOUS COAL WITH OIL SAND BITUMEN

Abstract
Co-processing of six Alberta subbituminous coals and Suncor bitumen (Athabasca deposit) by using H2 (Fe2 O3 catalyst) and CO/steam (K2CO3 catalyst) as reducing atmospheres have been studied. Results show that CO/steam gives significantly higher overall conversion compared to H2 with certain coals. However, the quality of products (as determined by distillation and subsequent extraction) are better when H2 was used in the co-processing of coal with bitumen. A second stage catalytic hydrogenation is required to upgrade heavy hydrocarbons (extracts) which form almost 50% of the product.