Abstract: An increased yield of hydrogenated liquid product is obtained from coal by contacting the feed coal with a hydrogen-donor solvent and a hydrogen-containing gas in a series of two or more liquefaction zones arranged in series and operated in such a manner that the temperature in each zone increases from the initial to the final zone. The effluent from each liquefaction zone is passed to the next succeeding higher temperature zone in the series. Liquid hydrocarbonaceous products are recovered from the effluent withdrawn from the last zone. Hydrogen-donor solvent may be produced in the process by catalytically hydrogenating at least a portion of the liquid product from the last liquefaction zone, recovering a liquid fraction from the product of the catalytic hydrogenation and separating a hydrogen-donor solvent from the liquid fraction.

Abstract: An increased yield of hydrogenated liquid product is obtained from coal by treating the feed coal with a hydrogen-donor solvent and hydrogen-containing gas in a first coal liquefaction reactor to produce a liquefaction effluent; separating the liquefaction effluent into a vaporous stream and a liquid stream, the liquid stream consisting of a low molecular weight liquid fraction and a high molecular weight liquid fraction; removing a sufficient amount of the low molecular weight liquid fraction from the high molecular weight liquid fraction to form a heavy bottoms stream containing less than about 50 weight percent of the low molecular weight liquid fraction based on the weight of the high molecular weight liquid fraction; treating the heavy bottoms stream with additional fresh hydrogen-donor solvent and hydrogen-containing gas in a second coal liquefaction reactor; separating the second liquefaction reactor product into a vaporous fraction and a liquid fraction, and recovering hydrogenated liquid products fro

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products which comprises contacting; in a series of two or more coal liquefaction zones, or stages, graded with respect to temperature, an admixture of a polar compound; or compounds, a hydrogen donor solvent and particulate coal, the total effluent being passed in each instance from a low temperature zone, or stage to the next succeeding higher temperature zone, or stage, of the series. The temperature within the initial zone, or stage, of the series is maintained about 70.degree. F and 750.degree. F and the temperature within the final zone, or stage, is maintained between about 750.degree. F and 950.degree. F. The residence time within the first zone, or stage, ranges, generally, from about 20 to about 150 minutes and residence time within each of the remaining zones, or stages, of the series ranges, generally, from about 10 minutes to about 70 minutes.

Abstract: Char fines produced by the gasification of coal or other carbonaceous solids are coked in the presence of heavy hydrocarbon oils, preferably 1000.degree. F.+ bottoms products from a coal liquefaction process, to produce gaseous products, liquids, and larger coke particles. The coke particles thus produced may be fed to the gasifier for the production of additional gaseous products which can be used as fuel, employed as a source of hydrogen for coal liquefaction operations, or utilized for the production of hydrocarbon liquids.

Abstract: The production of liquid hydrocarbons from coal is significantly enhanced by alkylating or acylating the coal prior to subjecting the coal to liquefaction conditions. The introduction of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals or acyl radicals, including carbon monoxide, into the coal structure is believed to permit more of the coal to undergo liquefaction at suitable liquefaction conditions. The alkylation or acylation reactions can be conducted in the presence or absence of added or extraneous catalysts.

Abstract: A process for liquefying a particulate coal feed to produce useful petroleum-like liquid products, particularly by steps which include: (a) contacting, in a liquefaction zone, said coal feed with a hydrogen donor solvent at temperature and pressure sufficient to hydroconvert and liquefy the coal (b) separating the product from the liquefaction zone by distillation into fractions inclusive of a liquid fraction which contains at least 30 weight percent, and preferably at least 50 weight percent hydrogen donor compounds, particularly those fractions boiling within about the 350.degree.-850.degree. F. range, and preferably within about the 400.degree.-700.degree. F.