摘要 |
The present invention relates to hydrogenative extraction of coal, and relates to a process which comprises treating coal with water and carbon monoxide at a temperature within the range of 300 DEG to 380 DEG C., venting the gases to atmospheric pressure at the end of the treatment and thereafter extracting the hydrogenated coal with an extractant in the gas phase at a temperature of at least 400 DEG C and thereafter separating the solid residue from the gas phase, recovering the coal extract from the extractant. The separation of the extract from the extractant is preferably carried out in the gas phase and it has been found that by arranging for the extractant medium to comprise one or more utilizable solvent components such that the sum of the reduced partial pressures of utilizable components of the extractant medium is at least one, enhanced separation and extraction of the coal is obtained and rapid separation of the extractant from the extract is obtained by simply reducing the pressure of the extractant medium. |