In 1982 I received a patent for converting coal directly to char and oil. Then followed a dozen years of experimentation at the semi-pilot plant level to modify and improve the technology. The final process viewed coal as a raw material to be 'cracked' (as with oil) to produce a slate of value-added products. (Gasification is not involved.) A total of fourteen patents have been issued. Then came the task of commercialization. Over the years visits were made to many coal companies and to electric utilities with the result that all were interested in building the 'second' plant. In August 2012, we received interest from a Chinese company that was interested and asking for a visit. After that, the result was formation of a joint venture and the company's commitment to finance a 50 ton per day plant in China. Computer modeling is underway to optimize plant parameters, equipment will be ordered and fabricated in early 2013, and the plant constructed and operational in late 2013.

After thirty years the path ended in China

245th National Meeting (2013)

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