US3923634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquefaction of coal
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1974-03-22
•
Granted: 1975-12-02
•
Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses the liquefaction of coal. The liquefaction procedure involves reacting the coal with hydrogen or with a mixture of carbon monoxide and water in the presence of, as a catalyst, a material derived from the naturally occurring underwater deposit known as a manganese nodule. The manganese nodule may be employed without pretreatment or may be pretreated by sulfiding. The catalyst, after it has become deactivated by use, may be processed to remove and recover one or more valuable metallic constituents.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony J Silvestri
- 👤 Paul A Naro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:59
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/08; C10G1/086; B; B01; B01J; B01J23/00; B01J23/16; B01J23/32; B01J23/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A PROCESS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION COAL COMPRISING REACTING SAID COAL WITH HYDROGEN OR WITH A MIXTURE OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND WATER, SAID REACTING STEP BEING CONDUCTED AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 500*F AND AT A PRESSURE OF AT LEAST 1000 PSIG, IN THE PRESENCE OF, AS A CATALYST, THE NATURALLY OCCURING UNDERWATER DEPOSIT KNOWN AS MANGANESE NODULES; AND RECOVERING HYDROCARBONACEOUS LIQUID.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
A PROCESS FOR THE LIQUEFACTION COAL COMPRISING REACTING SAID COAL WITH HYDROGEN OR WITH A MIXTURE OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND WATER, SAID REACTING STEP BEING CONDUCTED AT A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST 500*F AND AT A PRESSURE OF AT LEAST 1000 PSIG, IN THE PRESENCE OF, AS A CATALYST, THE NATURALLY OCCURING UNDERWATER DEPOSIT KNOWN AS MANGANESE NODULES; AND RECOVERING HYDROCARBONACEOUS LIQUID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said reaction is carried out in the dry state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said reaction is carried out in the wet state in the presence of a solvent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said manganese nodules are in the amount of at least 5% by weight of said coal and said catalyst.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said manganese nodules are in the amount of at least 10% by weight of the mixture of said coal and said catalyst.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said reacting is conducted at a pressure of at least 2000 pounds per square inch gage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein, when said material has become deactivated catalytically to a predetermined extent, valuable metal is recovered therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said valuable metal is recovered from said material by leaching said material with an aqueous solution of a strong acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said valuable metal is recovered from said material by leaching said material with an aqueous solution having a pH of at least 8.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said naturally occurring manganese nodules are subjected to the action of hydrogen sulfide prior to said reacting step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are subjected to the action of said hydrogen sulfide at a temperature from about 300*F to about 450*F.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are subjected to the action of said hydrogen sulfide for a time from about 1/2 hour to about 8 hours.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are subjected to the action of said hydrogen sulfide at a temperature from about 300*F to about 450*F and for a time from about 1/2 hour to about 8 hours.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said reaction is carried out in the dry state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said reaction is carried out in the wet state in the presence of a solvent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are in the amount of at least 5% by weight of the mixture of said coal and said nodules.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are in the amount of at least 10% by weight of the mixture of said coal and said nodules.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said manganese nodules are Lake Michigan nodules.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said reacting is conducted at a pressure of at least 2000 pounds per square inch gage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said manganese nodules are Lake Michigan nodules.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said manganese nodules are Lake Michigan nodules.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |