Conversion of Coal to Wax: this has been happening for decades with the production of Montan Wax. In essence the coal is soaked in a solvent like Toluene and the wax is extracted. It is a pretty basic process with low conversion rates but the high value of montan wax (>US$3000 per tonne) has made it worthwhile. For this process to work the coal deposit has to be high in the right type of Lignite… which is rare. I’m certain that new technologies could be brought to bear on the conversion of coal to wax that could greatly benefit the Australian economy (H&R export to all of Asia). A company called Ignite is using super-critical water (whatever that is) to convert southern Victorian brown coal to liquid. I'm thinking this type of technology, or any other new technology, could be used to make wax.
Their web site is:
http://igniteer.com
Qualifier: Please be aware that I am an employee of H&R ANZ and so have a vested interest in the above comments.
Re Super Critical Water:
I asked Gemini: What is super-critical water?
Supercritical water is a state of water that exists at extremely high temperatures and pressures, above its critical point of 374 °C (705 °F) and 22.1 MPa (3200 psi). At this point, the distinction between liquid and gas phases disappears, and the water takes on properties of both.
Imagine regular water: you can have it as a liquid or a gas (steam), depending on the temperature and pressure. But at the supercritical point, these two distinct phases become one, creating a fluid with unique properties.
Supercritical water doesn't look much different from regular water, appearing as a colorless fluid. However, its properties are significantly different. For instance, it:
Becomes a universal solvent: Supercritical water can dissolve a wide range of materials that are normally insoluble in either water or organic solvents. This makes it useful for various applications, such as extracting valuable chemicals from natural materials and cleaning up pollutants.
Is highly reactive: The breakdown of hydrogen bonds in supercritical water makes it more reactive than liquid water at room temperature. This can be beneficial for certain chemical reactions but also poses challenges in terms of controlling these reactions.
Has tunable density: By adjusting the pressure and temperature, the density of supercritical water can be varied. This allows for fine-tuning its properties for specific applications.
Supercritical water is found naturally in the Earth's crust and mantle, where the high temperatures and pressures create the conditions necessary for its formation. It is also used in various industrial and scientific applications, including:
Supercritical fluid extraction: This process uses supercritical fluids, such as supercritical water or carbon dioxide, to extract valuable components from materials. For example, it is used to decaffeinate coffee and tea and to extract essential oils from plants.
Biomass conversion: Supercritical water can be used to convert biomass, such as wood and agricultural waste, into biofuels and other useful chemicals.
Hydrothermal power generation: Supercritical water is used in some geothermal power plants to generate electricity.
Supercritical water is a fascinating state of matter with a wide range of potential applications. As research continues, we are likely to see even more innovative uses for this unique fluid in the future.