LUMPS OF COAL: Finding Review Literature

I think of doing a series as very hard work. But then I've talked to coal miners, and that's really hard work. --
 William Shatner

My background is in the oil and gas industry, so my focus in this blog has been on the desulfurization of petroleum products.

However, with this post I begin to explore the desulfurization of coal and coal products.  I have to admit that I am not a big fan of coal.  But I do understand that the industrialized world will continue to use coal for quite some time.

That being the case, the development of technologies that will minimize the environmental impact of the coal life cycle is critical.

Since I am not familiar with clean coal research, I began by searching Google® Scholar for review literature.  I used the following search statement:

coal desulfurization review

Here is one of the reviews resulting from the search, along with a couple of excerpts …

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Proceedings of the Mini-Symposium “Coal Based Fuel Cell Technology:
Status, Needs and Future Applications”. Morgantown WV, October 11-12, 2007
NMS_07_P07 31
A Review of Coal Syngas Cleanup Technologies, Past Trace Contaminant Testing, and Future SOFC Testing Activities at RTI
Jason Trembly (1), John Albritton (1), and Raghubir Gupta (1)
jtrembly@rti.org
1 RTI International, Center for Energy Technology, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Tel: (919)-541-8033
INTRODUCTION
Advanced IGFC power systems have become of particular interest to the U.S. DOE over recent years due to their potential to operate at efficiencies as high as 60 percent with CO2 capture [1]. In order for a gasifier to be integrated with an SOFC in an IGFC power plant, the syngas must be cleaned of contaminants that could damage the SOFC stack or contribute to environmental emissions. Syngas contaminants that need to be removed before the SOFC stack include particulates, sulfur gases (primarily H2S and COS), ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, alkali, and heavy metals (Hg, As, Se and Cd). Conventional gas cleaning is typically completed by scrubbing the syngas using chemical or physical solvents that require cooling the gas to below 100ºF (10ºC). However, the need to cool the gas to ambient temperature requires the use of additional equipment (heat exchangers, knockout pots, condensate handling system, etc.). In addition, the cooling of the gas, which must ultimately be reheated before being sent to the fuel cell, introduces a thermodynamic penalty on the overall system.

The paper briefly highlights coal based SOFC testing areas which will need to be addressed in the near future in order to develop high temperature trace contaminant cleanup for IGFC power systems.

Free Full Text Source: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnift.wvu.edu%2FSymposium2007%2Fpapers%2FNMS_07_P07.pdf&ei=AtWlUs2FF4nIyAHtl4GADQ&usg=AFQjCNEpwA7HojeuAN3iq9ylo_6DQ93EqA&sig2=EAhSH2zfUZ8T5tcioiYRkA&bvm=bv.57752919,d.aWc&cad=rja 
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Find review articles in SciVerse

“Familiarity breeds contempt. How accurate that is. The reason we hold truth in such respect is because we have so little opportunity to get familiar with it.” -- Mark Twain (American Humorist, Writer and Lecturer. 1835-1910)

Today’s Tip: A quick and easy way to find technical review articles using SciVerse.

Why review articles?  Here are a couple of reasons …

• You are unfamiliar with the field and want an overview
• You are familiar with the field, but have been asked to present a paper to an audience that is not familiar with the field.  I am not proposing that you plagiarize, but one or two review articles can help you formulate an approach to your topic that the audience will find helpful and informative
• You are an expert in the field and have been tasked to bring the new CEO up to speed.  Again, one or two review articles can help you organize your thoughts in a way that the CEO will appreciate the significance of your work

Many of the articles in the SciVerse database (www.sciencedirect.com) are labeled as review articles.  You can focus your search on them by clicking the “Advanced search” link on the far right of the first screen.

 The next screen has four tabs.  Click the “Journals” tab.

Next, enter your search string.  For this example we use one of my favorite key words … dibenzothiophene

Check the box next to “Review Article”

Click the Search button.

A few results of the search appear below the following screen shot.

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A Selection of SciVerse Review Articles Retrieved Using the Key Word “dibenzothiophene”

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Biodesulfurization of refractory organic sulfur compounds in fossil fuels Review Article
Biotechnology Advances, Volume 25, Issue 6, November–December 2007, Pages 570-596
Mehran Soleimani, Amarjeet Bassi, Argyrios Margaritis

Remarkable transformations of thiophene ligands in their pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium (Cp*Ir) complexes Review Article
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Volumes 206–207, September 2000, Pages 63-99
Jiabi Chen, Robert J. Angelici*

Surface acid–basic properties of WOx–ZrO₂ and catalytic efficiency in oxidative desulfurization Review Article
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, Volume 92, Issues 1–2, 19 October 2009, Pages 1-8
G. Rodriguez-Gattorno, A. Galano, E. Torres-García

Biodesulfurization of fossil fuels Review Article
Current Opinion in Microbiology, Volume 6, Issue 3, June 2003, Pages 229-235
Kevin A Gray, Gregory T Mrachko, Charles H Squires

Biodesulfurization and the upgrading of petroleum distillates Review Article
Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Volume 11, Issue 6, 1 December 2000, Pages 540-546
Daniel J Monticello

Microbial desulphurization of heavy oils and bitumen Review Article
Biotechnology Advances, Volume 5, Issue 1, 1987, Pages 1-27
Amit Bhadra, Jeno M. Scharer, Murray Moo-Young

Importance of heterocylic aromatic compounds in monitored natural attenuation for coal tar contaminated aquifers: A review Review Article
Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, Volume 126, Issues 3–4, 1 November 2011, Pages 181-194
Philipp Blum, Anne Sagner, Andreas Tiehm, Peter Martus, Thomas Wendel, Peter Grathwohl

Reviewing the Reviews

“A good review from the critics is just another stay of execution.” -- Dustin Hoffman (American actor, b.1937)

Sometimes all you want is a good article that provides an overview of the developments in a particular technology.  Today’s search tip addresses this need.

SEARCH TIP: in Google® Scholar, add  “review article” to your search string

For example, if you enter the following search string …

Desulfurization OR dibenzothiophene OR thiophene OR hydrodesulfurization AND “review article”

… most if not all of the resulting hits will be review articles.  Here are two of them.

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Applied Petrochemical Research
Volume 1, Numbers 1-4 (2012)
Rashad Javadli (1,2)
javadli@ualberta.ca
Arno de Klerk (1)
Author Affiliations
1. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2V4, Canada
2. ConocoPhillips Canada, Fort McMurray, AB, Canada
Review Article
Desulfurization of heavy oil
Abstract
Strategies for heavy oil desulfurization were evaluated by reviewing desulfurization literature and critically assessing the viability of the various methods for heavy oil. The desulfurization methods including variations thereon that are discussed include hydrodesulfurization, extractive desulfurization, oxidative desulfurization, biodesulfurization and desulfurization through alkylation, chlorinolysis, and by using supercritical water. Few of these methods are viable and/or efficient for the desulfurization of heavy oil. This is mainly due to the properties of the heavy oil, such as high sulfur content, high viscosity, high boiling point, and refractory nature of the sulfur compounds. The approach with the best chance of leading to a breakthrough in desulfurization of heavy oil is autoxidation followed by thermal decomposition of the oxidized heavy oil. There is also scope for synergistically employing autoxidation in combination with biodesulfurization and hydrodesulfurization.
Free Full Text Source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/4k1t37w341213253/

Biotechnology Research InternationalVolume 2012 (2012), Article ID 243217, 20 pagesdoi:10.1155/2012/243217
Review Article
Involvement of the Ligninolytic System of White-Rot and Litter-Decomposing Fungi in the Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Natalia N. Pozdnyakova
Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, 13 Prospekt Entuziastov, Saratov 410049, Russia
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are natural and anthropogenic aromatic hydrocarbons with two or more fused benzene rings. Because of their ubiquitous occurrence, recalcitrance, bioaccumulation potential and carcinogenic activity, PAHs are a significant environmental concern. Ligninolytic fungi, such as Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Bjerkandera adusta, and Pleurotus ostreatus, have the capacity of PAH degradation. The enzymes involved in the degradation of PAHs are ligninolytic and include lignin peroxidase, versatile peroxidase, Mn-peroxidase, and laccase. This paper summarizes the data available on PAH degradation by fungi belonging to different ecophysiological groups (white-rot and litter-decomposing fungi) under submerged cultivation and during mycoremediation of PAH-contaminated soils. The role of the ligninolytic enzymes of these fungi in PAH degradation is discussed.
Free Full Text Source: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/btri/2012/243217/abs/
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Reviewing Catalysis Reviews

“From my close observation of writers...they fall into two groups: 1) those who bleed copiously and visibly at any bad review, and 2) those who bleed copiously and secretly at any bad review.” --  Isaac Asimov (Russian born American science-fiction Writer and Biochemist. 1920-1992)

I really like technology reviews.  A good review saves time in so many ways.  It explains where the technology came from and where it’s going.  It describes the challenges being addressed by current researchers.  And it names key researchers and their key works.

Catalyss Reviews: Science and Engineering, true to its name, is a great source of reviews.  Since catalysis is the focus, and since catalysis lies at the heart of desulfurization, you could do worse than reviewing this review on a regular basis.

Here is an excerpt from a recent 122 page article ...

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Catalysis Reviews: Science and Engineering, 52:204–324, 2010

Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

ISSN: 0161-4940 print / 1520-5703 online

DOI: 10.1080/01614941003720167

Kinetics and Modeling of Petroleum Residues Hydroprocessing

Abdulazem Marafi1, Antony Stanislaus1, and Edward Furimsky2

amarafie@prsc.kisr.edu.kw

1Petroleum Refining Department, Petroleum Research and Study Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat, Kuwait

2IMAF Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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“2.3. Effect of Feed Origin and Analysis

“The detailed characterization of residues and corresponding products is necessary in order to quantify changes occurring during hydroprocessing. In most cases, the removal of heteroatoms (e.g., sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen), metals (vanadium and nickel) and some hydrocarbon groups from the feed have been the objectives of kinetic measurements. For residues, the overall conversion of asphaltenes and resins as well as CCR, with time on stream has been quantified. Complex nature of residues requires the advanced analytical techniques for a more detailed characterization.”

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“3.2. Kinetics Involving Residues

“The products containing no resins, asphaltenes, and metals is an ultimate goal of hydroprocessing of petroleum residues (1–10). In addition, the content of other contaminants in products (e.g., sulfur and nitrogen) must be below regulatory limits. A desirable performance of fuels and lubricants requires a suitable distribution of hydrocarbon groups. Therefore, the kinetic studies involving distillation residues and heavy crudes focus on conversion of resins and asphaltenes to lighter fractions as well as on removal of metals, sulfur and nitrogen. The quality of final products may only be attained after employing several hydroprocessing stages. The number of upgrading stages increases with the increasing content of contaminants. With respect to the overall hydroprocessing, every stage must be described by a different set of kinetic data rather than using the same set of data for all stages.”

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Search Strategy: Review Articles & Dissertations

"Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence--neither speed up nor slow down, add to nor diminish--it is an imponderably valuable gift.” -- Maya Angelou (American Poet, b.1928)

Get up to speed on a new technology by reading …
1) Review articles
2) Dissertations

I recommend "review" articles ... but how do you find "review" articles? One way ... pick a key word, like "biodesulfurization", and combine it with "review". Here, for example, is an article I found in Ebsco Academic using the following search string:

biodesulfurization review

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Microbial desulfurization of motor fuel
Authors:Debabov, V.1 debabov@genetika.ru
Source:Applied Biochemistry & Microbiology; Nov2010, Vol. 46 Issue 8, p733-738, 6p.
Abstract
Deep desulfurization of oil and its fractions is currently performed by hydration at high temperature and hydrogen pressure, which makes the process rather expensive. Searches for alternative modes for desulfurization, among which is biodesulfurization, are intensely in progress. In this review, the following subjects are discussed: microorganisms capable of desulfurizing petroleum products, mechanisms of their activity, achievements in the field of process development, and disadvantages of the method. The existing level of knowledge is insufficient for immediate implementation of an industrial biotechnological process for sulfur elimination from oil and motor fuel and it can only be regarded as a medium-term (10-15 years) prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR].
Copyright of Applied Biochemistry & Microbiology is the property of Springer Science & Business Media B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.).
Author Affiliations:1State Research Institute for Genetics and Selection of Industrial Microorganisms, Moscow 117545 Russia.
ISSN:00036838.
DOI:10.1134/S0003683810080016.
Database: Academic Search Premier
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Another good source for "review" ... dissertations and theses. Dissertations and theses typically begin with an introduction, followed by a descriptive literature review. Taken together, these two sections can get you up to speed as fast as a speeding bullet.

For example, Google® the following search string ...

biodesulfurization thesis 2011

One result ...

Title: Deep desulfurization of diesel fuel using a single phase photochemical microreactor
Authors: Jones, Jacob Aaron
Advisors: Yokochi, Alexandre F.
Jovanovic, Goran N.
Committee Members: Penner, Mike
Citation URL: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/18974
Abstract: There is an urgent need to lower the concentration of sulfur in diesel fuels. Growing concern over environmental effects caused by burning sulfur-containing diesel has led the world to higher standards in fuel refinement. Because of these lower standards, many techniques have been researched to remove sulfur containing compounds or otherwise reduce the sulfur content. Hydrodesulfurization remains the primary method to reduce most light sulfur-containing compounds. This process removes sulfides, sulfates, and thiols using high temperature and pressure reactions but is unable to remove aromatics and long chains containing sulfur molecules. Biodesulfurization has also been considered, utilizing microorganisms to target specific sulfur-containing compounds to remove the sulfur while leaving the high energy fuel intact. Oxidative reactions have also been considered including photocatalytic oxidation in an attempt to oxidize these aromatic compounds so that they may be removed using a polar solvent. An ultraviolet light assisted oxidative reaction occurring in a microreactor was studied. Dibenzothiophene was used as a model refractory organic compound mixed in Decane as a solvent. Dibenzothiophene undergoes a series of oxidative reactions which produce an intermediate, Dibenzothiophene Sulfoxide, and a final product, Dibenzothiophene Sulfone. This reaction only proceeds in the presence of Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide and ultraviolet light. These reactions are reversible and an equilibrium is established between Dibenzothiophene, Dibenzothiophene Sulfoxide, and Dibenzothiophene Sulfone. The equilibrium is strongly affected by the molar ratios of the reactants. Increasing the molar ratio of Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide to Dibenzothiophene reduces the concentration of Dibenzothiophene in the product stream or causes the reaction to shift its equilibrium towards the products. Equilibrium may not be affected by Temperature. Previous studies have shown that equilibrium concentrations have a temperature dependence. However, under the conditions of this research there was no indication of a temperature dependence. It is possible that because of the molar ratios used the reaction did not proceed appreciably regardless of temperature so the temperature dependence was not apparent. A Taylor dispersion apparatus was assembled to measure infinite dilution diffusion coefficients for Dibenzothiophene, Dibenzothiophene Sulfoxide, Dibenzothiophene Sulfone, and Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide were measured. Values were close to those calculated using the Wilke-Chang equation. These coefficients along with measured absorption coefficients were important in developing an accurate mathematical model. A mathematical model was developed to include convective and diffusive flux, fluid transport, and reaction kinetics. COMSOL™ Multiphysics was used to numerically solve the mathematical model. Experimental data is fitted to the model to determine the reaction rate constants for each of the reversible reactions. The model was compared to previously reported data taken at 22°C and 40°C using a reactor thickness of 50 um and 100um. The model fit the data very well and can be implemented in predicting concentrations within the reactor.
source: http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/handle/1957/18974
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And another tip ... whenever you find a citation that includes a DOI - Digital Object Identifier - copy the DOI and paste it into your Google search box. It will take you right to the appropriate place, without all the similarly worded listings that can clutter up you results