Solubilization of Coal and Bioconversion of Coal to Methane and Other Useful Products

Abstract

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.