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Chemical Engineering

CHRISTOPHER B. ROBERTS, DEPARTMENT CHAIR

COAL AND ENERGY LABORATORIES

Synthetic fuels research focuses on catalysis of coal minerals, and on development of new multistage liquefaction processes (slurry-phase disposable catalysts for improved coal conversion), improved solvents for liquefaction, and improved catalysts for removing environmental pollutants. A combined process is being developed to simultaneously convert solid coal and heavy residual petroleum fractions or waste material to higher quality fuels. In other recent research, a specification-grade paving asphalt was synthesized from coal.

Researchers are developing new processes for producing clean, environmentally acceptable transportation fuels, such as gasoline, jet, and diesel, from coal and waste plastics, tires, and waste oil, thereby conserving landfill space and other resources.

• Chemical Engineering Research