| abstract |
A process for converting coals to hydrocarbon values, by intimately contacting coals such as lignite coal with a reagent, e.g., an alkali metal sulfide or polysulfide or an alkali metal hydrosulfide, in the presence of steam, or a combination of steam and hydrogen sulfide, at temperatures between 65 DEG C. to 450 DEG C.; liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons of preselected compositions may be produced; these are useful as fuel, or as chemical starting materials, e.g., for upgrading fuel or making industrial chemicals. |