Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
34 words
A precesS as set forth in claim 1, wherein step (b) is continued until at least approximately 95 percent of the charge of coal to the first reaction zone is dissolved in said solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of charging said admixture to said first reaction zone in accordance with step (a) under a pressure of from about 500 p.s.i. to approximately 3,000 p.s.i., raising the temperature of said admixture to a temperature level as provided in step (b) of from about 350* C. to approximately 500* C. and maintaining said admixture within said temperature range for a period of about 15 to approximately 30 min.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of charging a portion of said heavy bottoms from said first reaction mixture to said second reaction zone in accordance with step (d) under a pressure of from about 500 p.s.i. to approximately 3,000 p.s.i., raising the temperature of said charge to said second reaction zone to a temperature level as provided in step (e) within the range of from about 350* C. to approximately 525* C. and maintaining said charge to said second reaction zone within said temperature range for a period of about 5 to approximately 100 min.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of: g. charging a portion of said heavy bottoms from said second reaction mixture and a hydrogenation agent therefor consisting essentially of hydrogen, under a pressure of at least 500 p.s.i. to a third reaction zone; h. raising the temperature of said charge to said third reaction zone to at least 350* C. and maintaining said charge at such temperature for a period not to exceed 100 min. to dissolve at least a portion of any undissolved coal in said charge to said third reaction zone and to further hydrogenate a part of said coal dissolved therein to produce a third reaction mixture which includes gases, light liquids and heavy bottoms, the reaction conditions including pressure, temperature and residence time within said third reaction zone being more severe than the reaction conditions within said second reaction zone; and thereafter i. flash separating by pressure reduction said gases and said light liquids from said heavy bottoms of said third reaction mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process as set forth in claim 5, wherein is included the steps of charging a portion of said heavy bottoms of said second reaction mixture to said third reaction zone in accordance with step (g) under a pressure of from about 500 p.s.i. to approximately 3,000 p.s.i., raising the temperature of said charge to said third reaction zone to a temperature level as provided in step (h) within the range of from about 350* C. to approximately 550* C. and maintaining said charge to said third reaction zone within said temperature range for a period of about 5 to approximately 100 min.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the step of treating a part of the heavy bottoms from the last reaction zone to remove solids therefrom and returning such solids-free heavy bottoms to the charge to at least one of the reaction zones as makeup for said solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said solvent is a solvent obtained from a previous processing of coal in accordance with said process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of directing the reaction mixture from each reaction zone into a separator, and thereafter lowering the pressure on the reaction mixtures to flash off the gases and light hydrocarbons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included the steps of continuously charging the reaction zones while simultaneously removing reaction mixtures therefrom and returning at least a part of the heavy bottoms from the last reaction zone to a preCeding reaction zone while charging the heavy bottoms from the first reaction zone and each reaction zone thereafter into the next successive reaction zone.