Abstract: A slurry of particulate carbonaceous material such as coal and a liquid hydrocarbon solvent formed from liquefaction of the carbonaceous material in the presence of hydrogen are combined with hydrogen in a liquefaction zone operated at temperatures from 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F, and pressures up to about 2500 psi. There is generated vapor and liquid hydrocarbons and solid residue. Light liquid hydrocarbons may be recovered as a product or ultimately converted to methane. Another portion of the liquid is recycled as the hydrocarbon solvent. The higher boiling liquid hydrocarbons and the solid residue are subjected to gasification to yield a synthesis gas which serves as a stripping gas stream used for separating the products of liquefaction into useful constituents. Preferably, all of the synthesis gas formed in the process, hydrocarbon vapor, and the light liquid hydrocarbons are converted by a combination of reforming and methanation operations to methane.

Abstract: A slurry of particulate coal and a liquid hydrocarbon solvent formed from liquefaction of coal in the presence of hydrogen are combined with hydrogen in a liquefaction zone operated at temperatures from 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F, and pressures up to about 2500 psi. There are generated vapor and liquid hydrocarbons and solid residue. Light liquid hydrocarbons may be recovered as a product or ultimately converted to methane. Another portion of the liquid is recycled as the hydrocarbon solvent. The higher boiling liquid hydrocarbons and the solid residue are subjected to gasification to yield a synthesis gas which serves as a stripping gas stream used for separating the products of liquefaction into useful constituents. Preferably, all of the synthesis gas formed in the process, hydrocarbon vapor, and the light liquid hydrocarbons are converted by a combination of reforming and methanation operations to methane.