Abstract: This invention presents a novel treating process for the removal of trace quantities of olefinic impurities from a hydrocarbon process stream. Specifically, this process operates at liquid phase conditions treating hydrocarbon streams comprising substantially aromatics and naphthenes having Bromine Index values of about 50 to 2,000. A solid medium comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite and a refractory oxide is used to reduce the level of olefin impurities to Bromine Index values of 0.1 to 50.

Abstract: A process for filtering contaminants from oil is provided. A polyalkoxyalkylamine is admixed with the oil in an amount sufficient to improve the filtration rate thereof. The polyalkoxyalkylamine is particularly suitable for use in processes for removing impurities from used lubricating oil wherein the oil is admixed with a treating agent to form a precipitate of the impurities and the impurities are filtered from the oil.

Abstract: The severity of a visbreaking operation is increased by treating product to remove a heavier phase in an amount of less than 15 weight percent and provide a remaining product having a Shell Hot Filtration number of less than 0.25.

Abstract: Prior to upgrading a viscous feed by visbreaking, at least a portion of the feed is treated to remove a heavy phase in specified amounts, whereby the severity of the visbreaking may be increased. The Shell Hot Filtration number of the visbreaking product is reduced by at least 75%, compared to visbreaking of untreated feed at some severity.

Abstract: Heavy crude oils which contain metal contaminants such as nickel, vanadium and iron may be separated from light hydrocarbon oils by passing a solution of the crude oil dissolved in a cycloparaffinic hydrocarbon solvent containing from about 5 to about 8 carbon atoms by passing through a polymeric membrane which is capable of maintaining its integrity in the presence of hydrocarbon compounds. The light hydrocarbon oils which possess relatively low molecular weights will be recovered as the permeate while the heavy oils which possess relatively high molecular weights as well as the metal contaminants will be recovered as the retentate.

Abstract: Oil is dehydrated and/or desalted by the influence of a dewatering and desalting formulation which can be characterized as an admixture of (i) a demulsifier preferably an alkylene oxide alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensate such as a poly ethoxylated nonylphenolformaldehyde condensate and (ii) a deoiler which is usefully a polyol such as ethylene glycol or poly (ethylene glycol) of Mw ranging from 106 to 44,000 and preferably ethylene glycol.The aqueous formulation may usefully contain a cosolvent such as isopropanol.

Abstract: A process for separating finely divided solid particles from a hydroprocessing liquid product which comprises treating a heavy hydrocarbon feed having an asphaltene content of at least 1 wt. % so as to obtain an unstable product characterized by heavy molecular weight molecules which promote the agglomeration of said finely divided solid particles and thereafter feeding said unstable product to a precipitating zone provided with a centrifugal decanter for precipitating the agglomerated solid particles and said heavy molecular weight molecules in said precipitating zone wherein at least 80 wt. % of the finely divided solid particles is recovered.

Abstract: In the desalting of crude oil, water-insoluble solids such as rust, iron sulfide, silt, clay, drilling mud components, etc., contained in the crude accumulate in an interfacial emulsion layer or cuff between the desalted crude and water phases. The major portion of this cuff is recycled to the crude feed and the remainder is mixed with a light diluent oil to break the emulsion and then settled to separate the crude and the water. The water-insoluble solids separate with the water. The separated oil phase may be combined with the desalted crude.

Abstract: Arsenic can be continuously removed from shale oil by passing the shale oil through a first guard bed containing catalyst capable of substantially reducing the arsenic content of the oil, until the desired amount of arsenic is removed. The flow of the shale oil is thereafter directed to an intercommunicating second guard bed containing another or similar catalyst capable of substantially reducing the arsenic content of the oil. Concurrently, the spent catalyst in the first bed is regenerated in situ so that continuous upgrading of the shale oil is achieved.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbonaceous charge stock having hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds which process comprises the steps of: (a) contacting said hydrocarbonaceous charge stock in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (b) contacting said hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; (c) introducing a resulting admixture of said reaction zone effluent and said aqueous scrubbing solution into a separation zone to provide a hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream having trace quantities of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds and a spent aqueous stream; and (d) contacting said hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream with an adsorbent to remove at least a portion of said trace quantities of hydrogenatable hydrocarbonaceous compounds from said hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous stream.

Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids, particularly difficultly filterable inorganic solids, from an oil obtained as a refinery process fraction from steam and catalytic cracking units, shale oil retorting process fraction, or from coal conversion processes by adding to the oil an agglomerating agent which is a polyelectrolyte, usefully a water-in-oil emulsion of a water-soluble polymer whereby said solids are clustered together into readily separable agglomerates.

Abstract: A process and system is provided to produce and dedust oil from oil shale and other types of solid hydrocarbon-containing material. In the process, raw oil shale is retorted, preferably with solid heat carrier material, to liberate an effluent product stream of hydrocarbons containing entrained particulates of dust derived from the oil shale or other solid hydrocarbon-containing material. A fraction of oil containing most of the dust is separated from the effluent product stream and fed to one or more dedusters. The dust-laden oil is dissolved in a special mixture of dedusting solvents which contains both polar and non-polar dedusting solvents. In the deduster, the dissolved oil is separated into a dedusted stream of oil and solvents and a residual stream of dust-laden sludge. Solvents are recovered from the dedusted stream as well as the sludge. The recovered solvents are recycled to the deduster for use in dedusting the oil.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for the treatment of heavy oil in which a hydrocarbon diluent is subjected to distillation prior to its addition to a heavy oil production stream, to remove at least some of the light components in the diluent that would otherwise vaporize in the treatment process. A distillation unit for use in the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Persistent chemisorption bonds of clay solids in clay-containing heavy oil and water emulsions, from oil sands, heavy oil or conventional oil wells, are broken down by mixing the emulsion with an aqueous mixture of coal particles so that the mixture has a suspension density in the range 1 to 50 weight % solids. The coal particles have a particle size in the range 5 to 100 .mu.m so that occluded hydrophilic, inorganic solids are separable from a substantial portion of the hydrophobic, carbonaceous substances of the coal. The mixing of the emulsion with the aqueous suspension of coal particles is continued until agglomerates are formed comprising essentially carbonaceous components of the coal and the heavy oil thereby breaking down the chemisorption bonds by interdependantly dissociating carbonaceous components of the coal and heavy oil from the clay solids and other hydrophilic, inorganic solids and water from the coal and heavy oil.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a method of treating middle distillate hydrocarbons to selectively convert tricyclic hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons of better cetane value by means of hydrogenation and cracking. The process is performed in the presence of an intercalated clay catalyst having high temperature stable pillars intermediate layers of the clay. This process achieves a diesel fuel having a higher cetane value than is currently obtainable utilizing molecular sieve catalysts such as a metal impregnated Y zeolite. The tricyclic aromatics are selectively hydrogenated and cracked in preference to accompanying paraffins, isoparaffins, tetralins and decalins.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for deactivating or removing aromatic compounds from a kerosene or gas oil, which aromatics are coke precursors in a steam cracking process (conducted in the absence of a catalyst) to convert the hydrocarbons contained in the kerosene or gas oil to hydrocarbons of smaller molecules. The excising occurs by contacting the kerosene or gas oil, before admission to the steam cracking zone, with particulate size activated carbon of 4 mesh to 50 mesh size and physically removing the activated carbon (with at least a portion of the aromatic content of the coke derived from the kerosene or gas oil absorbed thereon) from the slurry before passage of the kerosene or gas oil to the steam cracking furnace.

Abstract: A process for breaking oil-in-water emulsions formed during recovery of bitumen or heavy oil. It comprises contacting the emulsion with a high ash particulate agent selected from high ash coal rejects, fly ash from coking gas and red mud from the production of alumina.

Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids particularly difficulty filterable solids from an oil obtained as a refinery process bottom fraction from both steam and catalytic cracking units (e.g. catalytic cracker bottoms) or from coal conversion processes (e.g. coal tar) by adding to the oil a water-soluble agglomerating agent comprising an aqueous solution of a polyamine containing primary, secondary and tertiary amine functional groups with nitrogen content at least 25 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of neutralizing the organic acidity in heavy gas oils to produce a neutralization number less than 1.0 whereby they are rendered suitable as lube oil feed stocks which comprises treating said heavy gas oils with a neutralizing amount of monoethanolamine to form an amine salt with the organic acids and then heating the thus-neutralized heavy gas oil at a temperature and for a time sufficient to convert the amine salts to amides.

Abstract: A process for the removal of trace quantities of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous stream which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting a solvent, which in the supercritical state is effective to dissolve the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream, with the aqueous stream, for a time sufficient at supercritical solvent conditions to dissolve at least a portion of the hydrocarbonaceous compounds and to produce an aqueous stream having a reduced hydrocarbonaceous compound concentration; (b) separating the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the solvent at subcritical conditions; and (c) recovering the hydrocarbonaceous compounds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed of separating fine solids from oil in which the solids are dispersed which comprising contacting said oil with a combination of a compressed above-critical gas and an entraining agent at such temperature and such pressure that the system consisting of the oil, entraining agent and above-critical gas constitutes a single phase, withdrawing and separating the so-withdrawn phase into a liquid phase rich in oil and a gas phase lean in oil, the single-phase mixture of oil, entraining agent and above-critical gas from the solids.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce and dedust oil from oil shale and other types of solid hydrocarbon-containing material. In the process, raw oil shale or other solid hydrocarbon-containing material is retorted, preferably with solid heat carrier material, to liberate an effluent product stream of hydrocarbons containing entrained particulates of dust derived from the oil shale or other solid hydrocarbon-containing material. A fraction of oil containing most of the dust is separated from the effluent product stream and fed to one or more dedusters. The dust-laden oil is dissolved in a special dedusting solvent which contains both polar and non-polar solvents. In the deduster, the dissolved oil is separated into a dedusted stream of oil and solvents and a residual stream of dust-laden sludge. Solvents are recovered from the dedusted stream as well as the sludge. The recovered solvents are recycled to the deduster for use in dedusting the oil.

Abstract: A process for removing suspended solids particularly difficultly filterable inorganic solids from an oil obtained as a refinery process bottom fraction from both steam and catalytic cracking units (e.g. catalytic cracker bottoms) or from coal conversion processes (e.g. coal tar) by adding to the oil an agglomerating agent comprising an oxyalkylated phenol formaldehyde resin glycol ester whereby said solids are clustered together into readily filterable agglomerates.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce and stabilize shale oil. In the process, raw oil shale is retorted with heat carrier material to liberate an effluent product stream comprising hydrocarbons and entrained particulates of oil shale dust. In order to minimize polymerization of the product stream and enhance agglomeration of the shale dust, the product stream is stabilized with a hydrogen donor quench upon exiting the retort. The quenched stream is subsequently dedusted and upgraded.

Abstract: A process is provided to produce and stabilize shale oil. In the process, raw oil shale is retorted with heat carrier material to liberate an effluent product stream comprising hydrocarbons and entrained particulates of oil shale dust. In order to minimize polymerization of the product stream and agglomerate the shale dust, the product stream is stabilized with a hydrogen donor quench in the presence of a hydrogen transfer catalyst upon exiting the retort. The quenched stream is subsequently purged of catalyst, dedusted, and upgraded.

Abstract: Method of extracting liquid hydrocarbons from oil-containing stone or sand, wherein the oil-containing stone or the oil-containing sand undergoes hydrogenating, low temperature carbonization in a reactor at temperatures of 450.degree. to 520.degree. C. and a pressure of approximately 50 bar through the action of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and steam, and wherein the hydrocarbons are separated from the resulting gaseous, low temperature carbonization mixture. The low temperature carbonization mixture from the reactor is cooled in a first separation stage to a temperature of approximately 350.degree. C. to condense the less volatile hydrocarbons. The separated, liquid phase is fed to a solids separator and placed in contact with a circulating gas of carbon dioxide and a C.sub.6 /C.sub.7 hydrocarbon fraction. The low temperature carbonization mixture containing uncondensed gases and more volatile hydrocarbons are washed in a second separation stage with water and cooled to approximately 250.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing raw material containing small amount of quinoline-insoluble component for producing carbon material, comprising the steps of admixing a heavy oil of coal origin or of petroleum origin with an organic solvent having a boiling point of lower than 150.degree. C. and a surfactant which is soluble in the heavy oil and has de-foaming property and de-bubbling property, stirring the thus formed mixture gently with a motive power in a range of 0.5 to 50 watt/m.sup.3 of the mixture, subjecting the mixture to centrifugation thereby removing the solid impurities, and distilling the remaining liquid thereby removing the light fraction to obtain the raw material.

Abstract: A centrifugal drying and dedusting process is provided to dedust heavy oil derived from solid hydrocarbon-containing material such as oil shale, coal or tar sand. In the process, heavy oil laden with particulates derived from the solid hydrocarbon-containing material is centrifuged into a dedusted stream of heavy oil and a dust laden centrifuge sludge. The dedusted stream of oil can be further dedusted in a desalter, after being first mixed with fresh water, to form a purified, highly dedusted, effluent stream of heavy oil. Dust laden water from the desalter is centrifuged into a dedusted stream of water and a dewatered centrifuge sludge. The dedusted stream of water is recycled upstream of the desalter and mixed with the influent oil stream. Desirably, the centrifuges sludges are mixed, heated, dried and separated into another dedusted stream of oil and a powdery, dust-enriched residual stream which can be combusted in a lift pipe for use as heat carrier material in the dryer and retort.

Abstract: The precipitation and removal of particulate solids from coal-derived liquids by adding a process-derived anti-solvent liquid fraction and continuing the precipitation process at a temperature above the melting point of the mixed liquids for sufficient time to allow the asphaltenes to polymerize and solids to settle at atmospheric pressure conditions. The resulting clarified light hydrocarbon overflow liquid contains less than about 0.02 W % ash and is suitable as turbine fuel or as boiler fuel for burning without particulate emission control equipment. An underflow liquid fraction containing less than about 0.1 W % solids along with low sulfur and nitrogen concentrations is suitable as a boiler fuel with emission control equipment.

Abstract: A process for removing solids from coal tar for the preparation of a coal tar pitch containing liquid comprising (1) centrifuging the coal tar at a suitable viscosity to separate a large particle size solids fraction from a first liquid fraction containing pitch and small particle size solids, and (2) filtering the large particle size fraction while maintaining the solids fraction at a suitable viscosity to thereby produce a second pitch containing liquid fraction which is substantially free of solids, and a densified readily handleable large particle size solid material. The liquid fractions are useful for making electrodes, needle coke or carbon fibers whereas the densified solid material is readily utilized.

Abstract: A process for the prevention of the deposition of entrained soluble coal products from vaporous solvent recovered from a heavy fraction comprising insoluble coal products and some solvent and soluble coal products. The heavy fraction is produced in a coal deashing system employing solvent at elevated temperatures and pressures near the critical conditions of the solvent. The heavy fraction is reduced in pressure to form a mixture of ash concentrate and vaporous solvent together with entrained soluble coal products. This mixture then is turbulently admixed for at least 0.05 seconds to coalesce or condense the entrained soluble coal products upon the ash concentrate particles. The coalescence or condensation of at least a portion of the soluble coal products substantially prevents or minimizes deposition of the same in the solvent withdrawal conduit of subsequent vapor-solid separation apparatus. Alternatively, the mixture is introduced into a fluidized bed of ash concentrate.

Abstract: A process is provided to dedust oil derived from solid hydrocarbon-containing material, such as oil shale, coal or tar sand in multi-stage desalters. In the process, water is dispersed into the oil before entering each desalter to form an emulsion. The desalter separates the emulsion into a stream of oil having a substantially lower concentration of dust and a dusty stream of water containing most of the dust. In one embodiment, the sludge-like dusty stream from the first desalter is combusted in a lift pipe and used as heat carrier material in the retort. In other embodiments, the dusty stream from the first desalter is centrifuged or filtered and thereafter heated in a dryer to remove residual oil and water from the stream before the stream is combusted in the lift pipe and used as heat carrier material in the retort and dryer. Effluent water from the second and third desalters as well as from the centrifuge or filter are recycled upstream and dispersed in the oil.

Abstract: A process for producing a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry of insoluble coal products from a dilute slurry of insoluble coal products. The dilute slurry is concentrated to form a nonflowable concentrate having a solids level in excess of 65 weight percent. The nonflowable concentrate is introduced into a mixing zone together with an alkaline agent, surfactant and diluent wherein they are admixed to form a flowable concentrated aqueous slurry having a solids level in excess of 60 weight percent. Sufficient alkaline agent is present to provide a pH level of the slurry above about 9.0. The surfactant comprises at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the solids present. The diluent can comprise any suitable aqueous stream that does not adversely react with the insoluble coal products, alkaline agent or surfactant. The concentrated aqueous slurry is easily flowable from the mixing zone.

Abstract: A heating and drying process for dedusting heavy oil derived from solid hydrocarbon-containing material, such as oil shale, coal or tar sand, without the use of diluents, solvents, chemical additives or mechanical separators, such as centrifuges and filters. In the process, heavy oil is fed to a dryer, such as a screw conveyor dryer or fluid bed dryer, and separated into a dedusted stream of oil and a powdery, dust-enriched residual stream. Preferably, heavy oil residue in the residual stream is combusted to leave a spent stream for use as heat carrier material in both the dryer and retort.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for deashing an effluent slurry from a coal liquefaction process is provided. A mixture of relatively coarse coal-derived solids and a precipitating solvent is stirred with the effluent slurry to form hard, discrete agglomerate pellets of improved settling rates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for treatment of feed in the form of a heavy hydrocarbon-water dispersion or dispersions. The feed is diluted with a hydrocarbon solvent and contacted in a contactor with a water stream. A product stream containing bitumen oils and a discard stream comprising water and solids are separately removed from the contactor.

Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid in a process comprising heating the mineral solids to at least the magnetic transformation temperature of a portion of the solids and thereafter magnetically separating mineral solids from the feed. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.

Abstract: In the known operation wherein naphtha-diluted bitumen froth is pumped from a scroll-type centrifugal separator to a disc-type centrifugal separator, an improved pumping system is provided. The system comprises at least two centrifugal pumps in series, each operating preferably at an impellor tip speed less than 4000 feet/minute. The invention is based on the discovery that dilution with naphtha greatly increases the emulsification tendency of the froth components; therefore it is necessary to reduce shearing of this stream to keep the solids and water content of the disc product within a desirable limit. This is achieved by using staged pumping and operating the pumps at a relatively low tip speed.

Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid such as retorted shale oil by heating the mineral solids to a temperature above about 480.degree. C. and above the magnetic transformation temperature of at least a portion of the solids. The temperature of the solids is maintained above 480.degree. C. for no longer than about one minute, and the solids are magnetically separated. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.

Abstract: An apparatus arrangement and method of operation for treatment of the residue from a coal liquifaction and hydrogenation reactor, which residue contains 5% to 10% solids and is at elevated temperature (f.i. above 700.degree. F.) and pressure of 150-200 psi. Said apparatus comprising a continuous pressure precoat filter sealed against pressure loss, a sealed repulper associated with said pressure filter for repulping filter cake in relatively cooler solvent while maintaining the pressure thereon at about 150-200 lbs/in..sup.2 to yield a slurry, then utilizing the pressure to force the slurry into and through a second pressure filter wherein to effect liquid solids separation; and separately discharging the filtrate and cake from the second filter.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for handling and treating heavy waste hydrocarbons. The device comprises a pit heater for at least partially liquifying the hydrocarbon waste to render it pumpable. A positive displacement pump has its inlet adjacent the pit heater and pumps and partially liquified material out of a pit and into a heater-blender. In the heater-blender, a relatively high gravity crude oil is mixed with the heavy hydrocarbon waste and the temperature of the mixture is elevated by injecting steam thereinto. The blend exiting from the heater-blender is on the order of 200.degree. F. The hydrocarbon component of the blended material is in the range of 15.degree.-25.degree. API. The blend is discharged into a holding tank which has the capacity for reheating the material if necessary. The blend is withdrawn from the storage tank and processed to break the water-hydrocarbon emulsion and remove the water therefrom.

Abstract: Undissolved solid particles in coal liquefaction product are separated by forming a mixture of the coal liquefaction product, water and a separation promoter and separating the mixture into an upper layer containing coal liquefaction product and separation promoter, an intermediate aqueous layer and a lower layer containing undissolved solid particles.

Abstract: A process for effecting deashing solvent recovery from insoluble coal products and preparing a slurry of the insoluble products. An elevated temperature and pressure stream comprising insoluble coal products and deashing solvent is admixed with a makeup liquid to dilute the stream. The diluted stream is reduced in pressure and introduced into a first treatment vessel containing sufficient slurry to provide a hydrostatic pressure to prevent boiling of the diluted stream upon entry therein. The solvent then is permitted to flash and cool the remainder of the slurry. A portion of the cooled slurry is recycled to provide the makeup liquid and a second portion is introduced into a second treatment vessel to permit diffusion of solvent infused into the insoluble coal products in the slurry. The slurry of insoluble coal products in the second vessel then is introduced into a thickener to concentrate the slurry and provide a feed suitable for a gasifier.

Abstract: A process for deashing primary coal liquids with a selective multi-solvent extraction wherein the coal liquids and a primary solvent are contacted initially at a temperature greater than the temperature at which the deashing extraction occurs.

Abstract: In an electrostatic filtering process, solids are removed from a solids-containing liquid using an electrostatic filter and the filter is backflushed to remove collected solids, after which power is restored to the filter for a finite time before resumption of the flow of solids-containing liquid through the filter, resulting in a reduction in contamination of the product stream following the backflushing operation. Apparatus is provided to automatically control the electrostatic filtering process. The process and apparatus can be applied in filtering the slurry oil stream in a catalyst cracking operation.

Abstract: An improved system for deashing coal liquefaction products wherein a feed mixture (including a deashing solvent, soluble coal products and insoluble coal products) is separated in a first separation zone into a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction (including insoluble coal products and some deashing solvent). The first heavy fraction is withdrawn from the first separation zone and the pressure level of the first heavy fraction is reduced at least 100 psig for vaporizing the deashing solvent and for yielding a composition substantially comprising coal products. The composition is essentially a powdery, solid material and is capable of being transferred via a slurry or mechanical means.

Abstract: A process for maintaining the fluid-like properties of separate phases formed within a continuous coal deashing process during periods in which the flow of feed to the apparatus is interrupted. In operation, when the flow of feed is interrupted, the flow of solvent to the separation apparatus of the coal deashing process is diverted about said apparatus in such a manner as to maintain the system operating pressure. More specifically, solvent maintained at elevated temperature and pressure is diverted about the mixing and separation apparatus and introduced into a conduit downstream of the separation zone, in advance of a pressure regulating valve, said conduit also connecting to the separation apparatus. The new flow path maintains the pressure within the separation zone through establishment of fluid communication between the elevated pressure solvent and the phases within the separation apparatus.

Abstract: Coal liquefaction products are contacted with a deashing solvent and introduced into a first separation zone. The first separation zone is maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure, determined to maximize the recovery of soluble coal products, to cause said coal liquefaction products to separate into a first light phase and a first heavy phase. Under these conditions the heavy phase while still fluid-like in character is substantially non-flowable. Flowability is returned to the fluid-like heavy phase by the introduction of an additional quantity of deashing solvent into the first separation zone at a location below the interface between the first light and heavy phases or into the heavy phase withdrawal conduit during withdrawal of the first heavy phase and prior to any substantial pressure reduction. The first heavy phase then is withdrawn from the first separation zone for additional downstream processing without plugging either the withdrawal conduit or the downstream apparatus.

Abstract: A process for refining a shale oil or tar fraction boiling below 200.degree. C. is described wherein the shale oil or tar fraction is hydrogenated in the presence of a pre-hydrogenated naphtha which functions as a hydrogen transfer agent. Also described is a method for the production of such pre-hydrogenated naphtha from a solid containing shale oil or tar fraction boiling above 200.degree. C.

Abstract: Suspended mineral solids are separated from a coal-derived liquid containing the solids by a process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting said coal-derived liquid containing solids with a molten additive having a melting point of 100.degree.-500.degree. C. in an amount of up to 50 wt.