METHOD FOR REMOVING OXYGEN FROM COAL

摘要

: A process is described for removing oxygen from solid carbonaceous fuels, such as coal. It comprises forming a mixture of particles of the coal with water and heating the mixture in the presence of a catalytic amount of a soluble salt of iron, preferably ferrous sulfate, to a temperature between about 100.degree.C and 375.degree.C at a pressure sufficient to maintain substantially all of the water in the liquid state, whereby a substantial portion of the oxygen is removed from the coal.