To understand how hydrogen from coal is used in the oil refining process, it is important to understand the basics of oil refining. Crude oil, like coal, is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons (carbon and hydrogen). Unlike coal, oil and natural gas formed from prehistoric microscopic marine organisms rather than swampy plant matter. Oil can be light colored and thin, or “sweet crude.” It can also be thick and tar-like, or “heavy crude.”
Sweet crude is sought after because it is much easier to produce gasoline from this type of oil than from heavy crude. During the oil refining process, oil is heated and separated into different compounds. This process is called fractional distillation. On average, about 25% of every barrel of oil can be used to make gasoline. This is based on the amount of hydrocarbons found in each barrel of crude oil. Below is a list of the simple hydrocarbons (CXH(2X+2)) found in crude oil and the products made from each:
Because the demand for gasoline is so high, heavier hydrocarbons (C12+) within crude oil are often altered. Using the hydrocracking process, hydrogen can reform these hydrocarbons into chemical chains that can be used for gasoline. Hydrogen also converts heavy crude oil into lighter, sweet crude more adept for producing gasoline.
Coal is a cheap, abundant way to produce hydrogen. As sweet crude supplies dwindle and producers rely more on heavy crude, hydrogen will play an even more important role in the refining process. Coal and oil companies can work together to ensure gasoline remains affordable for all Americans.
Related links
