Method of feeding solids to a process unit

Claim 2

A process for simultaneously melting and introducing a solid, coal derived feed into a process unit comprising: introducing said solid, coal derived feed into an extruder; heating said solid, coal derived feed within said extruder to melt said feed and provide a molten feed; discharging said molten feed from said extruder at an elevated pressure; and introducing said discharged molten feed into a process unit.

Claim 3

The process of claim 1 wherein the extruder has a tapered screw.

Claim 4

The process of claim 1 wherein the extruder has a variable pitch screw.

Claim 5

The process of claim 1 wherein the heating is facilitated by electrical resistance heating.

Claim 6

The process of claim 1 wherein the process unit is a critical solvent coal deashing process unit.

Claim 7

A process for feeding solid carbonaceous material to a process unit comprising: providing solidified coal liquefaction products; providing finely divided raw coal; simultaneously introducing said solidified coal liquefaction products and said finely divided raw coal into an extruder; mixing said solidified coal liquefaction products and said finely divided raw coal within said extruder to form a mixture; melting said mixture within said extruder to form a slurry; and discharging said slurry from said extruder at an elevated temperature and pressure into a process unit.

Claim 8

A process for feeding solid carbonaceous material to a process unit comprising: providing solidified coal liquefaction products; providing finely divided raw coal; simultaneously introducing said solidified coal liquefaction products and said finely divided raw coal into an extruder; mixing said solidified coal liquefaction products and said finely divided raw coal within said extruder to form a mixture; melting said mixture within said extruder to form a slurry; and discharging said slurry from said extruder at an elevated temperature and pressure into a process unit.

Claim 9

The process of claim 6 wherein the process unit is a hydrogenation unit.

Claim 10

The process of claim 1 wherein the heating is facilitated by contacting the extruder with hot combustion products.

Claim 11

The process of claim 1 wherein the heating is facilitated by circulation of a heated fluid within a passageway provided within the extruder.

Claim 12

The process of claim 1 wherein the heating is facilitated by direct firing of the extruder.

Claim 13

The process of claim 6 wherein the process unit is a thermal processing unit.

Claim 14

A process for feeding a particulate solid consisting of coal liquefaction products into a process unit comprising; introducing said particulate solid into an extruder; melting said particulate solid within said extruder to provide a molten feed; discharging said molten feed from said extruder; and pumping said molten feed into a process unit.

Claim 15

A process for feeding a particulate solid consisting of coal liquefaction products into a process unit comprising; introducing said particulate solid into an extruder; melting said particulate solid within said extruder to provide a molten feed; discharging said molten feed from said extruder; and pumping said molten feed into a process unit.

Claim 16

The process of claim 12 wherein pumping is facilitated by a plunger type pump.

Claim 17

The process of claim 12 wherein the process unit is a hydrogenation unit.

Claim 18

The process of claim 12 wherein the process unit is a thermal processing unit.

Claim 19

The process of claim 12 wherein pumping is facilitated by a piston type pump.

Claim 20

The process of claim 12 wherein pumping is facilitated by a screw type pump.

Claim 21

The process of claim 12 wherein pumping is facilitated by a gear type pump.