UPGRADED SOLVENTS IN COAL LIQUEFACTION PROCESSES

摘要

New solvent compositions and a new two-stage direct coal liquefaction process are provided which permit control of the liquid product slate from one consisting primarily of low boiling distillate to one consisting primarily of high boiling fuel oil. The use of the new solving composition in the process significantly increases distillable liquid yields from coal or lignites. The preferred solvent contains from about 0 to 100 weight percent of pyridine-soluble bottoms, i.e., mineral matter-free normally solid dissolved coal, in which the hydrogen content is maintained at an optimum level by adding from about 0.05 to about 2.0 weight percent hydrogen in a hydrotreating step and from about 0 to 100 weight percent of a coal-derived distillate boiling below about 800.degree.F to about 1000.degree.F. Research for this invention was sponsored in part by funds from the Department of Energy.