Abstract: An improved process for removing mercury and other trace elements from coal containing pyrite by forming a slurry of finely divided coal in a liquid solvent capable of forming ions or radicals having a tendency to react with constituents of pyrite or to attack the bond between pyrite and coal and/or to react with mercury to form mercury vapors, and heating the slurry in a closed container to a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C. to produce vapors of the solvent and withdrawing vapors including solvent and mercury-containing vapors from the closed container, then separating mercury from the vapors withdrawn.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a type of flotation machine that combines three separate operations in a single unit. The flotation machine is a hydraulic separator that is capable of reducing the pyrite and other mineral matter content of a coal. When the hydraulic separator is used with a flotation system, the pyrite and certain other minerals particles that may have been entrained by hydrodynamic forces associated with conventional flotation machines and/or by the attachment forces associated with the formation of microagglomerates are washed and separated from the coal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a type of flotation machine that combines three separate operations in a single unit. The flotation machine is a hydraulic separator that is capable of reducing the pyrite and other mineral matter content of a coal. When the hydraulic separator is used with a flotation system, the pyrite and certain other minerals particles that may have been entrained by hydrodynamic forces associated with conventional flotation machines and/or by the attachment forces associated with the formation of microagglomerates are washed and separated from the coal.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating soil contaminated with oils, tars and light hydrocarbons. A slurry is formed with coal, water and the contaminated soil and agitated at elevated temperature, resulting in the transfer of the oil from the soil to the coal. The coal and soil mixture is then dewatered for disposal by burning or burial in a landfill.

Abstract: A process for producing a superior coal liquefaction solvent. A particulate coal is admixed with a distillable aromatic hydrocarbon solvent and liquefied under predetermined conditions to form coal liquefaction products comprising distillable and substantially nondistillable soluble coal products and insoluble coal products. The distillable solvent and distillable soluble coal products are separated from the remaining liquefaction products. The remainder is admixed with a deashing solvent and separated under elevated temperature and pressure conditions in several separation zones into an insoluble coal products fraction, a light soluble coal products fraction and a heavy soluble coal products fraction. A portion of the light soluble coal products fraction is admixed with the recovered distillable solvent to form the coal liquefaction solvent. The light soluble coal products comprise at least about 15 percent and preferably 25 to 50 percent of the coal liquefaction solvent.

Abstract: A coal conversion process which produces an increased yield of distillable products through an efficient use of hydrogen. Coal is contacted with a liquefaction solvent comprised of a process derived light phase residuum and a process derived distillate under liquefaction conditions to form a coal conversion product effluent. The effluent is admixed with a process derived hydrogenation residuum to supply hydrogen-donors and to cool and stabilize the effluent against regressive reactions. Distillables boiling below about 1000.degree. F. then are separated from the combined stream. A portion of the distillables can be recycled for use as solvent or hydrogenated and then recycled. The remaining residuum is admixed with a deashing solvent and thereafter deashed and fractionated under elevated temperature and pressure conditions. The residuum is separated to form a light phase residuum which is recycled for use as solvent and a heavy phase residuum suitable for further up grading.

Abstract: An economical, efficient process is provided employing coal, particularly subbituminous coal, as a fuel source for the production of distillate fuels, methanol, and methane. A hydroliquefier is operated under severe conditions to provide a high net yield of light distillates which are separated by distillation. The vacuum residue, which is produced above, is transferred as a slurry to a partial oxidation gasifier where synthesis gas is produced as feedstock for methanol or methane synthesis. Gaseous hydrocarbon contaminants are separated and used to generate additional synthesis gas, or to supply other fuel requirements. No net heavy distillates are taken as a product, being used as a fuel or converted to other products.