Solvolysis liquefaction of coal

An outline of the solvolysis liquefaction process of coal is described. One of the characteristics of this process is the use of heat-treated petroleum refinery bottoms as the solent for coal. Refined pitch is utilized not only as fuel, but also as raw material for carbon materials. For instance, pitch cokes are made from petroleum residue or coal-tar. These cokes have both disadvantages and advantages. To compensate for the disadvantages, solvolysis pitch, made from coal and petroleum residue, can be used effectively. A pilot plant having a processing capacity of one ton of coal a day by the solvolysis process, has been constructed in Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Nagasaki, Kyushu. A second pilot plant of 40 ton/day will be constructed in 1981.