Abstract: Solvent refined coal is treated with liquid water at a temperature of about 500.degree.-550.degree. F in a closed cylindrical vessel under the saturation pressure 665-1030 psig of water at that temperature and under gentle agitation to insure low shear liquid-solid contact for about 1/2 to 2 hours.Surprisingly, the soluble ash, generally sodium or potassium salts, is leached out to bring the sodium content down from 50-60 parts per million to a value of less than 1 part per million which makes the product very suitable as a feed for direct firing in a gas turbine.In addition the total ash content is reduced from a value of approximately 0.1% to a value less than 0.05% which means that in addition to reducing the quantity of sodium and potassium, there are other constituents of the ash which also have been removed.

Abstract: Solvent refined coal is treated with liquid water at a temperature of about 500.degree.-550.degree. F in a closed cylindrical vessel under the saturation pressure 665-1030 psig of water at that temperature and under gentle agitation to insure low shear liquid-solid contact for about 1/2 to 2 hours.Surprisingly, the soluble ash, generally sodium or potassium salts, is leached out to bring the sodium content down from 50-60 parts per million to a value of less than 1 part per million which makes the product very suitable as a feed for direct firing in a gas turbine.In addition the total ash content is reduced from a value of approximately 0.1% to a value less than 0.05% which means that in addition to reducing the quantity of sodium and potassium, there are other constituents of the ash which also have been removed.