Catalytic activities of iron ores in direct liquefaction of coal

Catalytic activities of various iron ores, hematite, limonite and magnetite, mixed with sulfur were examined in order to develop a disposable catalyst in direct liquefaction of coal. The catalytic mechanism was investigated with differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The following results were obtained: Most of the iron ores mixed with sulfur were as active as or more active than red mud mixed with sulfur, which has been regarded as a catalyst, even under relatively mild liquefaction conditions. The resulting liquefaction products were rich in middle and light oils. Thus, they are expected to become one of the catalysts; the catalytic mechanism in the presence of these iron ores plus sulfur, except for magnetite, was found to be similar to that of Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/ mixed with sulfur.