ABSTRACT
The problem of declining supplies of petroleum and natural gas has encouraged investigations into solvent re“ning of coal. The essential aspects of this type of conversion process are broadly described (1) as the thermal fragmentation of macromolecular units in the presence of a solvent or a hydrogen-donor solvent in the temperature range 375°C-425°C (710°F-800°F), associated with the intermolecular and intramolecular movement of hydrogen atoms in the reactants to produce pyridine-soluble solids and (2) as the progressive hydrogenation of the fragmented products to yield “nally a transportable fuel or synthetic crude oils.
