US4085029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for separating liquid and solid products of liquefaction of coal or like carbonaceous materials
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-12
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1996-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of improving the quality of slurry products taken from coal liquefaction reactors comprising subjecting the slurry to treatment with an alkaline compound such as caustic soda in the presence of steam in order to decompose the phenolic and acidic materials present in the slurry, and to also lower the slurry viscosity to allow separation of solid particles by sedimentation.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Malek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:23
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/045; C10G1/06; C10G1/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a process for converting coal into coal derived hydrocarbons by subjecting subdivided coal in the presence of a coal derived solvent and hydrogen to the effects of elevated pressure and temperature in a converter, in which process gasiform products are separated from slurryform products, the improvement for increasing the efficiency of separation of coal derived solids contained in said slurryform, comprising treating at least a part of the said slurryform in the presence of bubbling steam with an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, and alkali metal carbonates, and subjecting the treated slurryform product to gravity settling and forming, in a gravity settler, a solids rich fraction as a lower layer, a predominantly aqueous fraction as an intermediate liquid layer, a hydrocarbon liquid rich portion as an upper layer, and a froth fraction with entrained solid fines aqueous droplets gas bubbles suspended in an oil medium as a top layer, and withdrawing at least a part of the solids rich layer from the gravity settler.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a process for converting coal into coal derived hydrocarbons by subjecting subdivided coal in the presence of a coal derived solvent and hydrogen to the effects of elevated pressure and temperature in a converter, in which process gasiform products are separated from slurryform products, the improvement for increasing the efficiency of separation of coal derived solids contained in said slurryform, comprising treating at least a part of the said slurryform in the presence of bubbling steam with an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, and alkali metal carbonates, and subjecting the treated slurryform product to gravity settling and forming, in a gravity settler, a solids rich fraction as a lower layer, a predominantly aqueous fraction as an intermediate liquid layer, a hydrocarbon liquid rich portion as an upper layer, and a froth fraction with entrained solid fines aqueous droplets gas bubbles suspended in an oil medium as a top layer, and withdrawing at least a part of the solids rich layer from the gravity settler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising withdrawing from said gravity settler and separating at least a part of the contents of said hydrocarbon liquid rich portion into two portions: an oil portion, and solid fines rich portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising withdrawing from said gravity settler at least a part of said hydrocarbon liquid rich portion and subjecting the latter to a fractionating distillation, at least a part of the yielded fractionation products being then used as said coal derived solvent for converting coal into hydrocarbons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising recycling to said converter at least a part of the solids from the said solids rich fraction withdrawn from the gravify settler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising recycling at least a part of the contents of said froth fraction to said converter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkaline compound comprises an alkali metal hydroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkaline compound comprises an alkaline earth metal hydroxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkaline compound comprises ammonium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkaline compound comprises an alkali metal carbonate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |