Abstract: An improved process for the treatment of aqueous effluents containing strong anions such as sulphate, nitrate, chlorides and fluorides wherein the aqueous effluent is subjected to a biological purification process is described. According to the process, aqueous effluent such as those obtained by condensation of gases present in a coal gasification plant and containing these anions and others in a combined concentration of at least 2 mval/l and organic contaminants in a concentration of at least 1000 mg/l are subjected to the biological purification followed by separation of water from solids of the effluent. Thereafter, the water is subjected to anion exchange in an anion exchanger against hydrogen carbonate ions and at least part of the so-treated water is recycled to the aqueous effluent so as to be present therewith during the biological purification. By such a process the biological purification can be conducted at an optimum pH such as a pH in the range of 6 to 8. CO.sub.3 /HCO.sub.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and an apparatus for hydrogenative liquefaction of coal to produce high yields of gasoline fraction and optional yields of diesel and residue fraction, all of superior quality. The coal is slurried and digested in two separate and distinct streams. The pasting oil of the first stream is heavy residue fraction derived to a substantial extent from the second stream, preferably mixed with light oil derived partly or wholly from the first stream. The pasting oil of the second stream is middle oil derived from the fractionated discharge of the first stream, any shortfall being made up from the discharge of the second stream. A high degree of flexibility is possible by varying the ratio of coal fed to the respective streams between 3:1 and 1:3, and individual manipulation of the process parameters within each stream in respect of pressure, temperature, catalyst, residence time, pasting oil composition and coal quality.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and an apparatus for hydrogenative liquefaction of coal to produce high yields of gasoline fraction and optional yields of diesel and residue fraction, all of superior quality. The coal is slurried and digested in two separate and distinct streams. The parting oil of the first stream is heavy residue fraction derived to a substantial extend from the second stream, mixed with light oil derived partly or wholly from the first stream. The pasting oil of the second stream is middle oil derived from the fractionated discharge of the first stream, any shortfall being made up from the discharge of the second stream. A high degree of flexibility is possible by varying the ratio of coal fed to the respective streams between 3:1 and 1:3, and individual manipulation of the process parameters within each stream in respect of pressure, temperature, catalyst, residence time, pasting oil composition and coal quality.

Abstract: A novel carbonaceous material derived from solid carbonaceous fossil fuel, in particular low rank coal, such as brown coal, having a low ash and sulphur content, is prepared by deoxygenation and dewatering in the presence of hydrogen and a solvent having hydrogen carrier properties (e.g. anthracene oil under conditions known per se for the solvent extraction of coal. The entire liqueform reaction product is distilled down without prior filtration and recovered as the product which, besides the soluble components also includes the ash and carbonaceous insolubles. The material which has a ring and ball softening point above 30.degree. C, preferably above 100.degree. C, is particularly useful for blending with coal having inferior coking properties in order to produce a coking blend useful for the production of metallurgical coke, applying conventional coking conditions.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of solvent refined coal, which comprises heating the coal while slurried in a solvent under hydrogenation conditions to substantially liquefy the coal followed by a step of separating the non-dissolved solids from the solution, e.g. by filtration, improved by the feature that a small percentage of the liquefiable matter of the coal is combined or recombined chemically with itself and/or existing insoluble matter so as to form larger particles which, e.g. acting as a filtering aid, assist in the separation of the solids from the liquid.