Coal hydrogenation process using thermal countercurrent flow reaction zone

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Thermal hydrogenation of coal to produce hydrocarbon liquid and gas products is performed in a thermal reaction zone, in which a coal/oil slurry flows generally downwardly countercurrent to upflowing hydrogen. An effluent stream containing light hydrocarbon liquid and gas is withdrawn from the thermal reaction zone upper end and a heavy liquid, stream containing unconverted coal and ash is withdrawn from the reaction zone bottom end. Both streams are passed to phase separation and distillation steps for recovery of hydrocarbon gas and liquid products. A portion of the light liquid effluent is preferably recycled to the reaction zone lower end for upflow therein to help increase coal …