Victor Hugo Agreda

Potential for chemicals from coal

Abstract The following is a discussion of the potential for chemicals from coal, based on existing technology (proven or under development), and a likely scenario for the transition from oil (and natural gas) to coal as the primary feedstock. Oil shale and tar sands are also alternative feedstocks, but will not be discussed in this article. On a world scale, coal is the most important alternative fuel and chemical feedstock in terms of reserves, availability, commercial acceptance, and technology development. Furthermore, similar arguments and reasoning apply to the future emergence of other fossil fuels as significant alternative fuel and chemical feedstocks.