This study utilized scientific techniques and engineering principles to systematically create a prototype energy system. This project is intended to explore and develop an alternative energy system that effectively utilizes effluent gas (coal gas), in combination with the coal by-product, and denatured ethanal. Several techniques were developed in order to design and create a pilot system which operated autonomously and used effluent gas (coal gas), in combination with the coal by-product, and denatured ethanal to create a synthetic liquid hydrocarbon. Due to the over usage of fossil fuels, this experiment was developed to create a synthetic hydrocarbon. The following engineering goals were implemented to establish this system. Connecting the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell system into the hydrocarbon system to increase the amount hydrogen in order to create cleaner coal: creating a synthetic hydrocarbon by using anthracite coal as fuel source; create a “clean coal” by using hydrogen in a hydrodesulphurization process; confirm untreated trace amounts of coal by-products (methane, ethene, hydrogen and carbon monoxide); review and test treated coal gas with saturated hydrogen and oxygen gas in cobalt molybdenum environment for new hydrocarbon derivative (ethene); testing of untreated and treated aqueous liquor in gas with saturated hydrogen and oxygen gas in cobalt molybdenum environment to identify if hydrocarbon derivatives were synthesised. All of the engineering goals were achieved successfully. The idea behind creating a synthetic hydrocarbon was completed and the theory behind making a clean coal was also supported. The one exception to the engineering goals was that the aqueous liquor was not treated and/or tested due to the time restraint, which could have generated more hydrocarbon derivatives.
