Patent search on �Direct Coal Liquefaction (DCL)�, was conducted using appropriate key words and class codes to identify relevant granted patents and published applications. Patent databases such as Micropat and Thomson Innovation were used for the search. The search results were screened and analyzed to identify raw materials, processes and products. The analyzed data was used to interpret trends with respect to patent filing, assignee activity and technology aspects. DCL was selected as a representative technology since the ever-growing demand for petroleum-based fuels has intensified interests of scientists and researchers worldwide. Alternative transportation fuels from a variety of sources are being developed. Liquefaction of coal, both Direct Coal-to-Liquids (DCL) and Indirect Coal-to-Liquids (ICL) processes have been commercialized prior to the Second World War in 1930s-40s in Germany and UK. Following the War, all the DCL plants were shutdown due to the low cost and availability of petroleum feedstocks. The development of direct coal liquefaction has been stimulated in the past whenever there were shortfalls in supply of petroleum/crude oil and sharp increases in prices. Indeed, interest in DCL has picked up recently, and the first process line of a full commercial plant is now in operation in Shenhua, China. However, this DCL plant is the only one of several total coal-based demonstration plants being planned in Western China. There have been several plants in planning stages in India and the USA, but none are being developed as yet. This inspired us to take a critical look into the recent patent filing activities in the DCL area. The period of study was the last decade of 1999-Nov. 2010. Technology trends will be highlighted in 3-dimensional graphs based on the patent analytics.

Direct coal liquefaction: Insights from patent analytics

245th National Meeting (2013)

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