Coal liquefaction model: microscopic examination of solids from metal halide catalysed coal hydrogenation experiments

Coal undergoes changes during the hydrogenation process which depend on the balance between carbonization and hydrogenation reactions, which in turn depend on various experimental conditions, i.e. hydrogen availability, heating rate etc. If carbonization conditions prevail, semicoke is formed, whereas liquid hydrocarbons are formed under hydrogenation conditions. This model is applicable to hydrogenation reactions carried out under a wide range of experimental conditions.