Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the liquefaction of coal in which a slurry composed of the coal, a solvent, and an iron ore consisting mainly of a hydrate of iron oxide is heated under an elevated pressure of hydrogen.

Abstract: In a process wherein a slurry of water-containing coal and a solvent is heated to 100.degree.-350.degree. C. and then subjected to vapor-liquid separation by which water vapor is separated from the slurry to obtain a dehydrated slurry, a slurry to be dehydrated is mixed with a part of the dehydrated slurry and then heated. The dehydrated slurry thus obtained is suitable for use as a starting material for the hydrogenolysis of coal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of water-containing coal which comprises mixing the water-containing coal with a hydrocarbon oil having a specific gravity higher than that of water at temperatures in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C.; heating the resulting mixture at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature; and then allowing the heated mixture to settle at a temperature in the range of 100.degree. to 350.degree. C. and a pressure not lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at that temperature, whereby an upper layer consisting of the water separated from the water-containing coal is formed on a lower layer consisting of the mixture of the dehydrated coal and the hydrocarbon oil.