Liquefaction of Morwell brown coal using synthesis gas and hydrogenated anthracene oil

The effect of synthesis gas as a potential reductant for a brown coal (Morwell) was compared with pure hydrogen and pure carbon monoxide using hydrogenated anthracene oil as solvent and a catalyst comprising 3% iron ore and 1% sulphur. It was found that synthesis gas gave oil yields comparable with either pure hydrogen or carbon monoxide with the potential for higher distillable oil yields at elevated reaction temperatures. Both the inherent inorganic matter in the coal and the addition of sodium carbonate promote the shift reaction, which gives an increase in n-heptane soluble oil.