Modification of iron ore catalysts for lignite hydrogenation and hydrocracking of coal-derived liquids

The activity of haematite, magnetite, pyrite and pyrrhotite containing ore catalysts, modified by treatment in a tensile-energy planetary activator mill and by elemental sulphur additions, has been studied in lignite hydrogenation and coal-derived liquid hydrocracking processes. The application of modified ore catalysts resulted in a significant (by two to four times) increasing of lignite conversion degree and in higher yields of distillate fractions, obtained by hydrocracking of heavy coal-liquids. Mechanical activation of iron ore catalysts in the presence of elemental sulphur increased their surface area and promoted the formation during hydrogenation process at dispersed pyrrhotite particles with high catalytic activity.