Yamagata University

Shimio Sato

Minoru Morita

Yoji Kitaoka

Takao Hashimoto

A process for directly liquefying coal in a reactor including a preheating section and a reaction section, each having a plurality of pressure-resistant vertical pipes, comprises introducing into the preheating section a paste consisting of finely divided coal, catalyst and heavy oil. In the preheating section the paste is heated to a temperature of 380.degree. to 410.degree. C. and preheated hydrogen is blown into each pipe to create a velocity of Reynolds number equal to at least 3.times.10.sup.3 and an axial dispersion coefficient of not more than 0.05. The preheated paste and hydrogen are forwarded to the reaction section where they are heated to a temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C. and further hydrogen is introduced into each pipe of the reaction section to maintain the velocity and axial dispersion values and a high partial pressure of hydrogen. The total quantity of hydrogen introduced is 1 to 3 times the stoichiometric value.

Process for direct liquefaction of coal

In a process for directly liquefying coal, a paste consisting of finely divided coal, catalyst and heavy oil can be treated for thermal cracking and hydrocracking with a high liquid/space ratio and short residence time in a preheating section and a reaction section. An apparatus threfor comprises a plural number of pipe units having apertures for hydrogen injection and apertures for the paste of a low concentration or heavy oil injection and a gas-liquid separator for removing H.sub.2 O, methane, etc., the pipe units being formed in such a manner that a Reynolds number of 3.times.10.sup.3 or greater and an axial dispersion coefficient of 0.05 or smaller are achieved for the fluid flow therein.

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Yonezawa, Japan

Shimio Sato