US4325801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-stage coal liquefaction process
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1980-09-10
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Granted: 1982-04-20
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Expires: 2000-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a three-stage process for liquefying coal in which a coal-solvent slurry is sequentially passed through a first dissolving stage and two catalytic reaction stages in series. The first catalytic reaction stage contains a catalyst having a selectivity for converting heptane insolubles to lower molecular weight compounds and a portion of the effluent from said stage is recycled for use as solvent in the dissolver. The second catalytic reactor is operated under hydrocracking conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher W. Kuehler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:57
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/002; C10G1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A three-stage process for liquefying coal which comprises: forming a coal-solvent slurry by mixing subdivided coal with a solvent; passing said slurry through a dissolving stage to substantially dissolve said coal and produce an effluent comprising dissolved coal, solvent, insoluble solids, and heptane insolubles; passing effluent containing the dissolved coal and the insoluble solids from said dissolving stage with added hydrogen through a first catalytic reaction stage containing a catalyst having a selectivity for converting heptane insolubles to lower molecular weight compounds, to convert heptane insolubles in said effluent from said dissolution stage to lower molecular weight compounds; recycling a portion of the effluent from said first catalytic reaction stage for use as solvent; and passing remaining effluent from said first catalytic reaction stage through a second catalytic reaction stage containing hydrocracking catalyst and operating under hydrocracking conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A three-stage process for liquefying coal which comprises: forming a coal-solvent slurry by mixing subdivided coal with a solvent; passing said slurry through a dissolving stage to substantially dissolve said coal and produce an effluent comprising dissolved coal, solvent, insoluble solids, and heptane insolubles; passing effluent containing the dissolved coal and the insoluble solids from said dissolving stage with added hydrogen through a first catalytic reaction stage containing a catalyst having a selectivity for converting heptane insolubles to lower molecular weight compounds, to convert heptane insolubles in said effluent from said dissolution stage to lower molecular weight compounds; recycling a portion of the effluent from said first catalytic reaction stage for use as solvent; and passing remaining effluent from said first catalytic reaction stage through a second catalytic reaction stage containing hydrocracking catalyst and operating under hydrocracking conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A three-stage process for liquefying coal is recited in claim 1, wherein said catalyst having a selectivity for converting heptane insolubles to lower molecular weight compounds comprises a catalytically-active transition metal supported on a sepiolite carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A three-stage process for liquefying coal as recited in claim 2, further comprising: removing substantially all of the coal residue from the effluent which is recycled from said first catalytic reaction stage for use as solvent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-19 | 1985-10-19 | 1986-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-19 | 1989-10-19 | 1990-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-19 | 1993-10-19 | 1994-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |