Exxon Research and Engineering Company

Steve J Hsia

Stephen M Davis

Claude C Culross

Peter S Maa

Richard Frank Bauman

Michael Y Wen

John W Taunton

Ken L Trachte

Steve C LeViness

George H Anderson

The present invention relates to a catalytic process for converting a solid carbonaceous material, such as coal, to a liquid product in the presence of hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to a coal liquefaction process wherein a mixture of coal, bottoms, solvent and a sulfiding agent is subjected to liquefaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst precursor. This catalyst or catalyst precursor is comprised of a thermally decomposable compound of Groups IIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements such as molybdenum.

Liquefaction process

An improved process for liquefying solid carbonaceous materials wherein increased naphtha yields are achieved by effecting the liquefaction at a pressure within the range from about 1750 to about 2800 psig in the presence of recycled bottoms and a hydrogen-donor solvent containing at least 0.8 wt % donatable hydrogen. The liquefaction is accomplished at a temperature within the range from about 700.degree. to about 950.degree. F. The coal:bottoms ratio in the feed to liquefaction will be within the range from about 1:1 to about 5:1 and the solvent or diluent to total solids ratio will be at least 1.5:1 and preferably within the range from about 1.6:1 to about 3:1. The yield of naphtha boiling range materials increases as the pressure increases but generally reaches a maximum at a pressure within the range from about 2000 to about 2500 psig.

Donor solvent coal liquefaction with bottoms recycle at elevated pressure

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Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America

Steve J Hsia