Abstract: A process for the preparation of a liquifier for mineral binding agents comprising condensing a member of a group consisting of naphthalene sulfonic acid and alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids with formaldehyde or a formaldehyde precursor in a highly acidic solution until a viscosity of 4,000 to 8,000 mPas is reached, adding water periodically to reduce the viscosity of the mixture until the condensation is complete and neutralizing the mixture to obtain a water-soluble condensation product and the liquifier produced thereby and mineral binding agents containing the same.

Abstract: An improvement in the method for the production of a highly aromatic pitch-like coal by-product by dissolving comminuted coal or similar solid carbon-containing raw materials with aromatic solvents at elevated temperature is disclosed wherein the solid materials are dissolved at atmospheric pressure in aromatic compound mixtures of coal origin with an average boiling point above 350.degree. C. and recycling of the condensable fractions of the reaction gas. If the occasion arises, further aromatic solvents may be added to the suspension.