Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are obtained from carbonaceous materials, such as coal, by contacting the carbonaceous materials with a metal carbonyl or a low valent complex of the transition metals and water gas under alkaline conditions to form a reaction mixture, and then heating the reaction mixture to a sufficient temperature and pressure to obtain the hydrocarbon liquids. In a second embodiment, the carbonaceous materials are solubilized to an unexpectedly high degree by contacting them with solvent/solute systems, such as phenolic recycle solvents containing alkali or alkaline-earth metal constituents.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon liquids are obtained from carbonaceous materials, such as coal, by contacting the carbonaceous materials with a metal carbonyl or a low valent complex of the transition metals and water gas under alkaline conditions to form a reaction mixture, and then heating the reaction mixture to a sufficent temperature and pressure to obtain the hydrocarbon liquids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enriching the iron carbonyl content of a recycle gas stream produced in an iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process to enable reuse of the recycle gas stream in the iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process by cooling the recycle gas stream, adding carbon monoxide to the recycle gas stream, compressing the recycle gas stream to a pressure of about 20 to about 38 atmospheres under conditions suitable to prevent substantial decomposition of residual iron carbonyl, and contacting the compressed gas stream at a temperature of about 65.degree. to about 160.degree. C. with a reduced iron containing material in the presence of hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable to produce substantially condensed iron carbonyl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enriching the iron carbonyl content of a recycle gas stream produced in an iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process to enable reuse of the recycle gas stream in the iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process by cooling the recycle gas stream, adding carbon monoxide to the recycle gas stream, compressing the recycle gas stream to a pressure of about 20 to about 38 atmospheres under conditions suitable to prevent substantial decomposition of residual iron carbonyl, and contacting the compressed gas stream at a temperature of about 65 to about 160.degree. C. with a reduced iron containing material in the presence of hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable to produce substantially condensed iron carbonyl.