Process for the continuous hydrocarbonization of coal

Claim 1

A process for the hydrocarbonization of coal particles employing a fluid-bed zone of hydrocarbonization comprising: a. fluidizing coal particles with a non-oxidizing gas to form a dense phase; b. pressurizing said particles with a hydrogen-rich gas; c. preheating said coal particles in said dense phase in an essentially oxygen-free environment to a predetermined temperature below a temperature at which said coal particles undergo plastic transformation; d. providing a fluid-bed within a hydrocarbonization zone at a reaction temperature of between about 480° C and about 600° C, said fluid-bed consisting essentially of a matrix of non-agglomerating coal and char particles at said reaction temperature fluidized by a hydrogenrich, oxygen-free gas; e. continuously introducing said preheating coal particles and a hydrogen-rich, oxygen-free conveying gas into the lower portion of said zone in an essentially vertically upwards direction, said coal particles having a velocity sufficient to rapidly and uniformly disperse at said predetermined temperature, within said matrix, said velocity being greater than about 200 feet per second; f. continuously reacting said coal particles in said zone with hydrogen in said zone at said reaction temperature to produce a product comprising a condensable vapor and solid char; g. maintaining the solids in said zone for an average residence time of about 5 to about 60 minutes and said vapor for about 10 to about 250 seconds; h. maintaining the average hydrogen partial pressure in said zone at about 100 p.s.i. to about 1200 p.s.i.; and i. continuously withdrawing from said zone said product vapor and solids.