Abstract: Fresh carbonaceous particles are introduced into a fluid-bed reaction zone containing a bed of non-agglomerating particles at an injection velocity in excess of about 200 ft/sec with the fresh particles having been preheated to a temperature within the plastic transformation range of the particles and introduced rapidly and directly into said bed of non-agglomerating particles. The reaction zone may be a hydrocarbonization zone, a carbonization zone, a gasification zone or any other fluid-bed reaction zone in which defluidization may be caused by undue agglomeration of the feed particles. A fluidized stream of the preheated carbonaceous particles may be introduced at said high injection velocity in a vertically upwards direction or otherwise, as from one or more injection points positioned vertically along the side of the reaction zone.

Abstract: A liquid product containing a high percentage of phenolic compounds is obtained from coal by the hydrocarbonization of coal in a fluidizing bed in the presence of hydrogen. The hydrocarbonization is conducted at a temperature of 480.degree.-600.degree. C. and a hydrogen partial pressure of from about 100 to about 1,200 psi and an average solids residence time of 1 to about 30 minutes. Oxidation of the coal even by atmospheric air must be substantially avoided to maximize phenolic production. Oxidizing coal reduces the tar and the phenolic yield by as much as 50 percent in some instances. Subbituminous, especially non-agglomerating varieties are especially preferred coals.