Patent ID: 8226816
Filing Date: 2012-07-24
Classification: C10G

Abstract:
1. A method of producing a synthetic binder pitch from coal, comprising: (a) hydrogenating feedstock solvent in a first tank reactor, wherein the feedstock solvent comprises at least one additional solvent selected from the group consisting of: tetralin, decalin, tetrahydrofuran, and aprotic dipolar solvents such as n-methyl pyrrolidone; (b) producing a mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated feedstock solvents by combining said hydrogenated feedstock solvent exiting said first tank reactor with unhydrogenated feedstock solvent; (c) combining said mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated feedstock solvents with coal to produce an extraction mixture in a second tank reactor downstream of said first reactor; (d) heating said extraction mixture for a period of time sufficient to extract one or more soluble portions of said coal into said mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated feedstock solvents; (e) removing undissolved solids from said extraction mixture; (f) removing light hydrocarbons from said extraction mixture, thereby producing the synthetic binder pitch, wherein the synthetic binder pitch comprises a softening temperature between 100 and 120° C. and a coking value between 50 and 60% by weight; (g) recycling said light hydrocarbons and at least a portion of said mixture of hydrogenated and unhydrogenated solvents to said second tank reactor, wherein said at least one feedstock solvent comprises a hydrocarbon material having a softening temperature less than about 200° C., and contains at least 10% by weight of hydrocarbon species having a boiling point greater than about 350° C.