Abstract: Novel fuel compositions comprising: (A) A solid and/or semi-solid material formed by a process for upgrading coal which comprises the steps of: (1) subjecting a slurry composed of coal and a solvent containing donatable hydrogen, together with hydrogen, to catalyst-free hydrogenation conditions in a first hydrogenation zone to form an intermediate coal-solvent slurry; (2) deashing said intermediate coal-solvent slurry to form a coal-solvent solution; (3) subjecting said coal-solvent solution to catalytic hydrogenation conditions in a second hydrogenation zone to obtain a product that can be separated at ambient pressure into (a) a first liquid fraction boiling at a temperature in the range of about 100.degree. to about 375.degree. C., (b) a second liquid fraction boiling above said first liquid fraction at a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. to about 525.degree. C.

Abstract: A slurry composed of coal and a solvent containing donatable hydrogen, together with hydrogen, is subjected to catalyst-free hydrogenation conditions in a first hydrogenation zone to form an intermediate coal-solvent slurry. After removing ash from the intermediate coal-solvent slurry to form a coal-solvent solution, the coal-solvent solution is subjected to catalytic hydrogenation conditions in a second hydrogenation zone to obtain a product that can be separated at ambient pressure into (a) a first liquid fraction boiling at a temperature in the range of about 100.degree. to about 375.degree. C., (b) a second liquid fraction boiling above said first liquid fraction at a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. to about 525.degree. C. and (c) a solid and/or semi-solid material. Following the separation, at least a portion of the second liquid fraction is recycled to the first hydrogenation zone.