Abstract: The overall yield from hydrogenation of coal is increased by following the method of the present invention according to which additional amounts of oil are released from the separated residue obtained in a vacuum distillation operation following the initial coal hydrogenation, in that a light oil fraction obtained during the initial coal hydrogenation and having a boiling point in the range between 35.degree. and 200.degree. C. is added to the residue to act as a solvent therefor, whereupon the solution is hydrogenated at a temperature in the range between 350.degree. and 450.degree. C. under a hydrogen pressure of 300 to 400 bar for 0.5 to 2 hours. The solvent advantageously includes alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatics, phenols or mixtures thereof having their boiling points within the above range. A catalyst selected from the series of transition metals may be added to further increase the oil yield from the hydrogenation of the residue.

Abstract: A membrane having a preselected pore type which is suited for separating processes comprising a shaped body formed by heating a mixture of finely ground carbonaceous material with a binder composed of about 5 to 20% by weight natural or synthetic elastomer or a mixture of both and of about 1 to 20% by weight of thermoplastic material to about 400.degree. to 1400.degree. C. in an inert atmosphere at a rate of temperature increase between 0.1.degree. and 10.degree. C./min. The membranes are useful for a wide range of selective chemical and physical separation operations of different materials.