Abstract: A non-aqueous extraction process for producing a bitumen product from an oil sands material that includes an ablation stage is provided. The ablation stage can include adding an ablation solvent to an oil sands material to achieve a solvent-to-ore ratio of less than about 10, mixing the ablation solvent and the oil sands material to reduce the size of the oil sands material and produce ablated ore that includes ablated ore fragments having a diameter of less than about 2 inches, and retrieving the ablated ore as a single stream. The ablated ore can be subjected to a reject separation stage to separate reject material therefrom. The reject material can also be subjected to a wash reject stage. The ablated ore can then be subjected to an extraction stage. Examples of ablators are also described, which can include for instance a conveyor, or can be a rotary screen ablator.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to systems and method for processing tars to produce benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). A method for processing tars may comprise distilling the tars to separate creosotes and pitch; and processing the pitch via hydropyrolysis, including both hydrogenation and hydrocracking functions, to remove heteroatoms and break down polyaromatics in the pitch and produce monoaromatics, such as BTX. A system for processing tars may comprise one or more of the following: an input stream comprising tars feeding into a column; the column configured to separate the tars into one or more creosote streams and a pitch stream; and a reactor (or a series of reactors, or beds within a single reactor), wherein the pitch stream is fed to the reactor along with a stream of hydrogen, wherein the reactor is configured to break down the pitch to produce BTX.

Abstract: A process for reducing coke formation during hydrocarbon upgrading reactions using a double-wall reactor comprising the steps of feeding a heated feed water to a shell-side volume of the double-wall reactor to produce a heat transfer stream, the double-wall reactor comprising an exterior wall and an interior wall, a reaction section volume, a heating element configured to heat the heat transfer stream, wherein heat is transferred from the heat transfer stream to the reaction section volume, feeding the hot water return exiting the shell-side volume through a filter; mixing the filtered water stream with a heated hydrocarbon feedstock; feeding the mixed stream to the reaction section volume in a configuration counter-current to the heat transfer stream; reacting the reaction flow stream at a reaction temperature, wherein the heat transferred to the reaction section volume is operable to maintain the reaction temperature above the critical temperature of water.

Abstract: A method includes providing a gasifier with a fuel source comprising a heavy oil, a light oil, and recovered soot. The gasifier may gasify the fuel source to generate a syngas and soot. The method also includes recovering the soot in a first separation unit that may receive a portion of the heavy oil and separate the soot from an extraction oil used to recover the soot. The first separation unit generates soot bottoms that include the portion of the heavy oil and the recovered soot. The method also includes flowing a first separation co-fractionate to a second separation unit. The first separation co-fractionate includes the extraction oil and the light oil. The second separation unit may separate the extraction oil and the light oil, and direct the light oil towards the first separation unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of bitumen from an oil sand comprising the following phases in succession: (a) mixing an oil sand with a diluent capable of reducing the viscosity and density of the bitumen contained in said oil sand, obtaining a first mixture (slurry) comprising diluted bitumen; (b) mixing said slurry with a basic aqueous solution (BAS) possibly containing salts to increase its ionic strength, capable of removing said diluted bitumen from said oil sand containing it, obtaining a second mixture (BAS-slurry) which can be separated into (i) a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen, a fraction of oil sand free of the bitumen removed and water; (ii) a sediment comprising the remaining fraction of said oil sand free of the bitumen removed, water and residual hydrocarbons which can be eliminated by subsequent washings; (c) separating a liquid phase comprising said diluted bitumen removed, from said BAS-slurry mixture; (d) recovering, from said liquid phase separated

Abstract: Provided is an ash-free coal production method that can produce an ash-free coal efficiently with a higher solvent recovery rate. The ash-free coal production method includes an extraction step of mixing coal with a solvent to give a slurry and heating the slurry to extract a solvent-soluble coal component; a separation step of separating a solution containing the coal component from the slurry containing the extracted coal component; and an ash-free coal obtaining step of separating and recovering the solvent from the separated solution to give an ash-free coal. The ash-free coal obtaining step includes a pressure-reducing substep of reducing a pressure to a level lower than the solvent vapor pressure to evaporatively separate the solvent from the solution to thereby give a solid ash-free coal; and a heating substep of heating the solid ash-free coal to evaporatively separate a residual solvent from the ash-free coal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of power engineering and, more specifically, to systems for generating electricity based on the use of solid fuel, primarily brown and black coal. In the coal gasification method, a gasifier is fed with a uniform activated coal water fuel, the droplets of which are of equal size and the coal particles in said droplets having a similar granulometric composition. The fuel droplets are introduced intermittently in separate doses of fuel with a certain amount of motion being imparted thereto. The milling of the coal for the activated coal water fuel preparation method is adjusted adaptively according to the criterion of the actual amount of volatile substances given off by the coal, and the coal is thoroughly classified according to its granulometric composition. The invention provides for more extensive recovery of thermal energy from coal and more efficient electricity generation.

Abstract: A process for pyrolyzing a coal feed is described. The coal feed is pyrolyzed into a coal tar stream and a coke stream in a pyrolysis zone. The coal tar stream is fractionated into at least a pitch stream. The pitch stream is hydrogenated, and the hydrogenated pitch stream is recycled into the pyrolysis zone. The hydrocarbon stream may be processed further by at least one of hydrotreating, hydrocracking, fluid catalytic cracking, alkylation, and transalkylation.

Abstract: A process and system to separate crude from tar sands. A tar sand and crude oil mixture is created using ground tar sands. The tar sand and crude oil mixture is mixed under high pressure in a treatment vessel with either natural gas or exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The mixture is then moved through a entrainment vessel still under the high pressure. When the mixture is removed from the entrainment vessel excess gas is removed from the mixture. The crude oil is then separated from the sand typically through a cyclone separator. A portion of the crude oil may be used to mix with the ground tar sand on the front end of the process.

Abstract: A method for multistage transforming carbonaceous solid fuel to oil, includes mixing solid fuel (17) with heavy oil (40) to obtain fuel-oil slurry; heating and dehydrating of the slurry; liquefying of the slurry by hydrogenation under a low-medium pressure to obtain light oil (25) and heavy oil-residue slurry; hydrorefining the light oil (25) to obtain refined oil; gasifying the heavy oil-residue slurry in a gasifier (11) to obtain syngas (47); producing F-T synthesis oil (52) with the syngas (47); hydrorefining and hydrocracking the F-T synthesis oil (52) to obtain refined oil; mixing the refined oil from the F-T synthesis oil with the refined oil from liquefying by hydrogenation for producing high quality oil with low sulfur and low ammonia, and other chemical product. The method can be applied to various kinds of coals and biomass, especially applied to lignite and biomass. A suspended bed reactor for liquefying of carbonaceous solid fuel by hydrogenation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a rubber material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a rubber material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: A process for producing fuel from biomass is disclosed herein. The process includes torrefying biomass material at a temperature between 80° C. to 400° C. to form particulated biomass having a mean average particle size between 1 ?m and 1000 ?m. The particulated biomass is mixed with a liquid hydrocarbon to form a suspension, wherein the suspension includes from 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent particulated biomass. The suspension is fed into a unit selected from the group consisting of a pyrolysis reactor, a fluid catalytic cracking unit, a delayed coker, a fluid coker, a hydroprocessing unit, and a hydrocracking unit, and then at least a portion of the particulated biomass of the suspension is converted into fuel.

Abstract: A multi-stage catalytic process for the direct liquefaction of coal is utilized with a hydrotreater to first liquefy and subsequently treat the product in one integrated process. A fresh hydrogenation catalyst is used to reduce heteroatoms (S, N) from coal liquids in the downstream hydrotreater. This catalyst is then cascaded and re-used in the direct coal liquefaction process, first in the low temperature Stage 1, and then re-used in the high temperature Stage 2. Coal liquid products have very low contaminants and can be readily used to produce gasoline and diesel fuel. Catalyst requirements are substantially lowered utilizing this novel process.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method are described for modifying pitches, oils, tars, and binders by using these materials as solvents to extract organic chemicals from coal.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons is provided, which comprises (a) subjecting a coal feedstock to mechanical activation (203) in a liquid medium, thereby obtaining a mixture of solubilized asphaltenes; and (b) at least partial cracking (207) the resulting mixture in a supersonic nozzle reactor, thereby obtaining hydrocarbon products derived from the asphaltenes.

Abstract: This invention encompasses systems and methods for pretreating a carbonaceous material, comprising heating to a suitable temperature and for a suitable reaction time, a mixture comprising the carbonaceous material, one or more catalysts or catalyst precursors, and a hydrocarbonaceous liquid.

Abstract: A process for producing fuel from biomass is disclosed herein. The process includes torrefying biomass material at a temperature between 80° C. and 300° C. to form particulated biomass having a mean average particle size from about 1 ?m to about 1000 ?m. The particulated biomass is mixed with a liquid to form a suspension, wherein the liquid comprises bio-oil, wherein the suspension includes between 1 weight percent to 40 weight percent particulated biomass. The suspension is fed into a hydropyrolysis reactor; and at least a portion of the particulated biomass of the suspension is converted into fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating carbon products from used tires includes a decomposing chamber into which used tires are charged, a nitrogen gas supply device that supplies nitrogen gas into the decomposing chamber, one or more magnetrons that generate microwave of predetermined frequency and one or more phase shifters that removes interference between microwaves generated by the magnetrons, a receiving plate that is adapted to receive carbon black and iron cores generated by the decomposing process, a tire support that is adapted to support used tires, an opening and closing device that opens or closes a door on which used tires are placed, conveyor belt that moves carbon black and iron cores to a desired location after decomposition is complete, and a cooling plate that is provided in an upper portion of the apparatus and cools down gaseous oil that is generated by decomposition by microwave into liquid oil.

Abstract: Process for direct coal liquefaction of coal, including: (1) preparing a coal slurry from raw coal; (2) preheating the coal slurry, then feeding it into reaction system to undergo liquefaction reaction; (3) separating reaction products in a separator to form a liquid phase and a gas phase, wherein the liquid phase is fractionated in an atmospheric tower into a light oil fraction and a bottom product; (4) feeding the atmospheric tower bottom product to a vacuum tower to separate into distillate and vacuum residue; (5) mixing the light oil fraction and the distillate to form a mixture, then feeding the mixture to a suspended bed hydrotreating reactor with forced circulation for hydrogenation; (6) fractionating hydrogenation products into oil products and a hydrogen donor recycling solvent. The process can operate long periods, with higher reactor efficiency and utilization factor, increased liquid oil yield and can supply high-quality feedstock for further processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO2.

Abstract: Coal is converted into hydrocarbon compounds using supercritical water. The process involves two stages; a first stage in which carbonaceous material is reacted with supercritical water at above 850K to produce a first supercritical fluid reaction mixture comprising hydrocarbon compounds; and a second stage in which hydrocarbon compounds are extracted from coal mixed with at least a portion of the first supercritical fluid at a temperature within a range of from the supercritical temperature of water to about 695K. Char from the second stage is finely divided and may be either be used outside the process, e.g. in a coal fired power station or a gasifier, or used as at least a portion of the carbonaceous material used in the first stage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting organic material into commercially viable products, such as burnable low sulfur engine fuels. The system of the present invention includes an anaerobic stripping reactor for processing organic materials into a bio-softened slurry, a thermobaric cracking chamber and expansion/separation tank for converting the bio-softened slurry into products, and a hydrocarbon separation system for separating the various products. An interfusion system can be provided that selectively combines various of the products to create fuels, such as diesel or gasoline. In one embodiment, the thermobaric cracking chamber operates approximately in the ranges of 350 to 600° F. and 400 to 1,200 psig. In a specific embodiment, the anaerobic stripping reactor is segregated into three areas to create buffer zones both into and out of the anaerobic stripping reactor, thus isolating a main portion of the organic material from reactive shocks.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from coal or oil shale is disclosed. The process involves the steps of forming a pulp of finely divided coal or oil shale in a first reaction bed, adding concentrated sulphuric acid to the first reaction bed, controlling the temperature of the first reaction bed to produce a hydrocarbon mixture, and deacidifying the hydrocarbon mixture.

Abstract: A recycle system for a worthless or useless material, characterized in that the worthless or useless materials is subjected to pyrolysis to form a carbonized components, a gaseous component from the worthless or useless material is cooled and liquefied, and the liquefied product is fractionated to produce a useful material. The recycle system allows the production of useful material from a worthless or useless material at a lower cost as compared to a conventional system.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of plastic to produce a synthetic crude oil by means of separating a liquefied plastic into a lower boiling fraction and a higher boiling fraction containing non-distillable particulate matter which is admixed with a hydrocarbonaceous recycle stream and filtered. The filtered stream having a reduced concentration of finely divided particulate matter and the distillable lower boiling stream together with hydrogen is contacted with a hydro-demetallization catalyst in a hydro-demetallization zone. The effluent from the hydro-demetallization zone is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in a hydrocracking zone to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons suitable for use as a synthetic crude oil and to produce gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds. A recovered hydrogen-rich gaseous stream is preferably recycled to the hydro-demetallization zone. The gaseous, water-soluble inorganic compounds are removed by scrubbing the hydrocracking zone effluent with an aqueous stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for depolymerizing used and waste plastics, comprising a closed reactor and a circulation system the mildly heating of the reactor contents connected to the reactor, as well as to a process for depolymerizing used and waste plastics. To protect the circulation system from erosion by solid particles contained in the reactor contents, the reactor is designed so that the reactor contents drawn off into the circulation system traverse a riser section integrated into the reactor for removing fairly coarse solid particles having correspondingly high settling rate before entry into the take-off line.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of solid carbonaceous materials, such as coal, to liquid products using one or more polyoxoanions selected from those represented by:[(C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1).sub.4 N].sub.a M.sub.b O.sub.c H.sub.d, where n=1 to 8, a=2 to 6, b=2 to 12, c=7 and M is a metal selected from Groups VB and VIB of the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Abstract: Scrap rubber automobile tires, oil soluble plastics, as well as waste motor oil are disposed of by the process of the subject invention without polluting the nation's environment. Further, useful product synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is produced. The rubber from the rubber tires and/or oil soluble plastics are dissolved in the waste motor oil to produce a homogeneous pumpable tire-oil which is separated from undissolved tire belt material containing undissolved rubber and/or oily material, solid residue, and off-gas comprising light hydrocarbons having a maximum atmospheric boiling point of 850.degree. F., and H.sub.2 S. The undissolved tire belt material is coked to produce off-gas, inorganic materials and carbon black. Off-gas form the liquefaction and coking reactors is cooled to produce organic condensate. The tire oil, carbon black, and condensate are mixed together and introduce into a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the aqueous conversion and upgrading of organic resource materials carried out by contacting organic resource materials selected from the group consisting of coal, shale, coal liquids, shale oil, and bitumen with liquid water in the absence of externally supplied hydrogen or reducing agents, controlling the temperature in the range from above about 200.degree. C. to below the critical temperature of water to maintain water in a liquid phase, wherein the pressure is the corresponding vapor pressure (autogenous pressure) of the system, for a time sufficient to effect the conversion and upgrading process. Additionally, the contacting may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a brine catalyst, clay catalyst and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting a carbonaceous material to a liquid product using a hydrogen donor solvent. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for hydroconverting carbonaceous material in which a 400.degree.-1000.degree. F. hydroconversion product fraction is further hydrocracked and a hydrocracked fraction is used as the hydrogen donor solvent. An increased quantity of liquid product is achieved by removing an ash residuum from the hydroconversion product fraction prior to the hydrocracking process.

Abstract: A process for pretreating oil shale prior to retorting by contacting with an organic acid, such as formic and acetic acids, at temperatures below about 100.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to react at least a portion of the oil shale carbonates and separating the shale from the organic acid solution containing at least a major portion of the reaction products of the carbonates and organic acid. The process is preferably carried out in an aqueous solution of organic acid having a pH of 3 and less for a time of about 1/2 to about 4 hours and at ambient temperatures about 20.degree. to about 30.degree. C. Pretreatment of oil shale by this process prior to retorting results in higher liquid and aromatic product fractions being produced by conventional retorting.

Abstract: An improved, low severity coal liquefaction process is disclosed. In accordance with the process, coal is first decarboxylated and demineralized with hot sulfurous acid. The decarboxylated coal is then liquefied in the presence of an alcohol and an alkali metal hydroxide. In several embodiments, alkali metal-containing materials are reclaimed to produce alkali metal hydroxide for the liquefaction step. In other embodiments, the liquefaction is conducted in the presence of a relatively high-boiling diluent such as a coal-derived liquid.

Abstract: A composition consisting essentially of a carbonaceous solid containing at least one carboxyl group is heated with subcritical liquid water at decarboxylation conditions including a temperature of at least about 300.degree. F. to substantially decarboxylate the solid, thereby producing a stream comprising a decarboxylated solid and water. The water is separated from the decarboxylated solid prior to liquefying the solid.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydroconversion of coal comprising pretreating coal in an aqeuous carbon monoxide-containing environment, followed by extracting a soluble hydrocarbon material from the coal, and subsequently hydroconverting the extracted material in a hydroconversion reactor with a high catalyst loading to obtain a nearly finished product with low heteroatom levels. The extracted material consists of a relatively hydrogen-rich material which is readily converted to valuable liquid products in high yield. The residue from the extraction stage is relatively hydrogen deficient material which can be gasified to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the hydroconversion and pretreatment stages, respectively.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydroconversion of coal comprising pretreating coal in an aqueous carbon monoxide-containing environment, followed by extracting a soluble hydrocarbon material from the coal, and subsequently hydroconverting the extracted material in a hydroconversion reactor. The extracted material consists of a relatively hydrogen-rich material which is readily converted to valuable liquid products in high yield. The residue from the extraction stage is relatively hydrogen deficient material which can be gasified to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide for the hydroconversion and pretreatment stages, respectively.

Abstract: In a coal liquefaction process an aqueous slurry of coal is prepared containing a dissolved liquefaction catalyst. A small quantity of oil is added to the slurry and then coal-oil agglomerates are prepared by agitation of the slurry at atmospheric pressure. The resulting mixture is drained of excess water and dried at atmospheric pressure leaving catalyst deposited on the agglomerates. The agglomerates then are fed to an extrusion device where they are formed into a continuous ribbon of extrudate and fed into a hydrogenation reactor at elevated pressure and temperature. The catalytic hydrogenation converts the extrudate primarily to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor. The liquid drained in recovering the agglomerates is recycled.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of oil from an oil-containing particulate shale sludge is achieved by contacting the sludge with a light hydrocarbon solvent fraction, obtained from the processing of oil derived from the shale, in the presence of water to form an oil-solvent liquid phase which is separated from an aqueous phase containing oil-depleted shale. The oil-solvent liquid phase when introduced into a slurry of product oil and particulate contained within a shale retort provides several advantages, including lowering the viscosity of the product oil and enhanced separation of the product oil from the particulate shale.

Abstract: A two step retorting process for pyrolyzing a solid feed selected from the group consisting of oil shale, tar sand, waste motor oil, and scrap tires to recover valuable products therefrom comprising retorting a mixture of the solid feed in heavy oil at a relatively low temperature, recycling the oil formed back to the first step, and completing the pyrolysis of the residue formed at a higher temperature in the absence of product oil recycling. Apparatus is provided including a means for feeding and soaking the solid feed, a HSPR, an IFBC, and means for handling product liquid and gas.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of coal which entails slurrying pulverized coal with oil, hydrogenating the mixture at an elevated temperature and pressure and separating the liquid and solid reaction products from the gaseous reaction products, wherein the slurry oil contains non-process derived hydrocarbon mixtures having a boiling range above about 200.degree. C., in the amount of about 30-100% by weight with the remainder of the slurry oil being process derived oils having a boiling range above about 200.degree. C.

Abstract: A two-stage catalytic hydroconversion process using a large-pore catalyst in the first stage reactor and a small-pore catalyst in the second stage reactor in the two-stage process for hydroconversion of coal or petroleum asphaltene feed materials to produce distillate liquid fuels. The large-pore catalyst is characterized by having pore diameters larger than 1000.ANG. occupying a major portion of the catalyst total pore volume of 0.2 to 1.0 cc/gm, and the small-pore catalyst is characterized by having pore diameters smaller than 1000.ANG. occupying a major portion of the catalyst total pore volume.

Abstract: A process is provided wherein a carbonaceous material, such as oil shale, is coated with a hydrocarbon liquid, such as shale oil, prior to introduction of the carbonaceous material to a water containing, sealed system, through which the carbonaceous material is transferred to a high pressure vessel, i.e. a retort. The liquid hydrocarbon coating on the carbonaceous material effectively minimizes water absorption by the carbonaceous material in its passage through the water containing system.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A coal liquefaction process using ionic liquefaction techniques with polar solvent solubilizing agents and water soluble inorganic compounds, produces a carbonaceous liquefaction product which is separated from the process stream by the use of methanol as a partitioning agent and the methanol and solubilizing agent are recovered separately for reuse.

Abstract: A method and system of continually reforming sewage and other organic materials into liquid oils and gases by pyrolysis using the containing and entrained water in the inorganic and organic constituents of the sewage.

Abstract: An improved tar sands derived bitumen and coal liquification process is disclosed wherein substantial percentages of subdivided coal particles and tar sands derived bitumen liquids are mixed and then corefined with hydrogen under hydrocracking conditions, but in the absence of a separate catalyst, at a temperature range of 800.degree. to 900.degree. F. and a pressure of about 2400 psig. The resutling fluid after removal of residual solids is a suitable liquid feedstock for conventional refinery equipment to produce petroleum fractions useful as transportation and heating fuels. Preferably, a portion of the corefined bitumen-coal liquid product may be recycled for mixture with the bitumen liquid and coal. Raw or native tar sands may also be mixed with the liquid butumen and coal in the process.

Abstract: A method for sequentially co-processing heavy hydrocarbon materials and carbonaceous materials comprising first subjecting the heavy hydrocarbon material in the presence of a disposable metal catalyst to produce and separate therefrom a first distillate stream and a first non-distillable effluent stream containing the disposable metal catalyst. The first non-distillable effluent stream then is mixed with the carbonaceous material and the mixture subjected to liquefaction conditions in the presence of said disposable metal catalyst. The liquefaction product then is subjected through the use of sequential fractionation and critical solvent extraction processing steps to separate and recover various heavy hydrocarbon and carbonaceous-derived light hydrocarbon liquid products therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for improving the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from oil shale. The method comprises treating a mixture of oil shale and hydrocarbon fluid at a temperature below the retorting temperature of the shale and for a period of time sufficient to recover product hydrocarbon fluids in amount equivalent to at least 100 percent Fischer Assay.

Abstract: In a process for hydrogenation of coal, comprising a sequence of reaction steps, connected in series, in which finely divided coal is mixed with oil and pumped to pressure, subsequently is heated to the hydrogenation starting temperature and then is subjected to catalytically activated hydrogenation, in the presence of hydrogen, wherein at least part of the heat required for heating is transferred to the coal by direct heat exchange with the hot product vapors; thereafter extracting a portion of the liquid intermediate product present in the reaction step downstream of the last reaction stage, and feeding, at least part of such product to the coal slurry which has been pumped to pressure. Preferably, the first reaction step is a preliminary reactor and the liquid intermediate product is fed to the coal slurry together with the hot product vapors.

Abstract: The invention provides an improvement to a process for producing a diesel fuel from a medium heavy oil obtained from coal. The invention increases the amount of medium oil which can be used to produce diesel fuel while keeping the total yield of oil from the coal about the same. Thus, the fraction of the medium oil recovered is greater without altering the total yield of oil from the coal, and now amounts to about 80 to 85 percent of the total oil yield. Accordingly, the amount of light oil derived in this process becomes correspondingly smaller. Thus, the total oil yield is increased by about 4 to 6 percent compared with previously obtained results.