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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Coal liquefaction process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6231886
This invention is a process for liquefying coal in at least two stages, comprising (A) heating a slurry comprising a solid particulate coal, and an externally supplied dispersed dissolution catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a first reaction zone to substantially dissolve the coal and provide a first effluent slurry having a normally liquid portion comprising solvent and dissolved coal and containing undissolved solids and dispersed dissolution catalyst; and (B) contacting at least a portion of said normally liquid portion containing undissolved solids and dispersed dissolution catalyst with hydrogen in a second reaction zone in the presence of a second externally supplied hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions, including a temperature lower than the temperature to which said slurry is heated in step (A), to produce a second effluent slurry having a normally liquid portion. Preferably, the dispersed dissolution catalyst in the first hydrogenation zone is added as an emulsion of aqueous soluble compounds of transition elements, E.G. From groups IV-b, V-b, VIb or group VIII of the periodic table.
Assignee:
Chevron Research Co
Patent Number(s):
US 4379744
OSTI ID:
6231886
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English