Initial Evaluation of a Coal Burning Turbine Powered Vehicle System

The conversion of coal to a useful transportation fuel results in low energy conversions if processed to liquid fuels. The approach to improve the energy conversion of coal to a transportation fuel by using it in its solid state was explored. An Eldorado vehicle with a gas turbine installed was used to demonstrate the feasibility of using coal in its solid state if cleaned and micronized. The mobile unit required storage on board the vehicle for micronized coal, a pumping system to deliver the coal to the engine, a modified fuel injector and a modified combustor to efficiently burn the solid fuel.