Hri, Inc.

Robert O'Brien

Alfred G Comolli

Edwin J Hippo

A process for the hydrogenation of undissolved coal and subsequent liquefaction of the hydrogenated coal particles to provide useful hydrocarbon liquid products including naphtha, gasoline and diesel fuel. These low boiling hydrocarbon liquids are produced by the process comprising: (a) mixing solid coal particles with a coal derived solvent in a solvent/coal ratio ranging from about 8/1 to about 1.5/1 to provide a flowable coal/oil slurry of solid coal particles; (b) passing the coal/oil slurry and hydrogen upwardly through a first reaction zone containing a coal-derived liquid and bed of particulate catalyst maintained at a temperature ranging from about 400.degree. to about 700.degree. F. and a hydrogen partial pressure of 100 to 2000 psig for a time sufficient to hydrogenate the solid coal particles; and (c) withdrawing the coal/oil slurry having the hydrogenated coal particles from the first reaction zone and passing the coal/oil slurry to a second reaction zone containing a catalytic bed which is maintained at a temperature of between about 700.degree. and about 850.degree. F. and a hydrogen partial pressure of 9 to 2000 psig to liquefy and convert the coal to useful hydrocarbon liquid fuel products. The first and second reaction zones may include the same or different catalysts such as Co/Mo on a porous substrate, or the second reaction zone can include a noble metal such as platinum on a porous substrate such as alumina or silica.

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Jackson, NJ, United States of America

Robert O'Brien