Catalytic production of octahydrophenanthrene-enriched solvent

摘要

The OHP content of an OHP- and THP-containing solvent is enriched by contacting the solvent with hydrogen in the presence of a supported catalyst comprising Group VIB and Group VIII metals under conditions to increase the OHP/THP ratio in the solvent to a level greater than 0.4 and preferably greater than 1. The preferred catalyst contains tungsten where it is desired to provide an OHP/THP ratio greater than 1 in the OHP-enriched solvent, and also contains titanium to improve the hydrogen selectivity of the catalyst so as to enhance the preservation of aromatics in the hydrogenated solvent. The OHP-enriched solvent provides increased solvation of coal and improved yields of liquid fuel product in a coal liquefaction process which utilizes the solvent.