Effect of cresol as a co-solvent in coal liquefaction and product analysis

The influence of o-cresol on conversions of Bruceton coal to tetrahydrofuran (THF) extract was determined over the full range of composition for mixtures of o-cresol with either tetralin, phenanthrene, anthracene or pyrene. A maximum was found in both of the plots of coal conversion versus cresol content for mixtures with phenanthrene or pyrene. By comparison, the conversion found in pure tetralin was significantly higher than those found in the polynuclear aromatics and was not increased by addition of o-cresol. The enhancement of conversion by addition of cresol to the polynuclear aromatics was determined to be due to its action during the liquefaction itself, and not due to any influence exerted on post-liquefaction product separation. The relationship of these results to other studies showing the effect of cresol on both liquefaction chemistry and on post-liquefaction product work-up is discussed.