Overall performance of the liquefaction sector
Coal liquefaction (CTL)

After incorporating the upgrading processes, the overall average performance of the two liquefaction streams is summarized in (Table11).

The overall yield of recoverable products is higher with the direct route (approximately 3.5 barrels per ton of coal, on a dry basis) than with the indirect route (2.5 to 3 barrels per ton of coal, on a dry basis, depending on the utility scheme), with hydrogen being produced from coal in both cases.

The naphtha cut obtained via the direct route is highly naphthenic in nature, making it an ideal feedstock for a catalytic reformer (for the heavy fraction), while the light fraction can be processed in an isomerization unit. These two refining units could be located within the...