Patent · US Expired

Process for converting and upgrading organic resource materials in aqueous environments

US5338442A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
24References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 16, 1992
Grant dateAug 16, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 16, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC10G1/04
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention is a process for the aqueous conversion and upgrading of organic resource materials carried out by contacting organic resource materials selected from the group consisting of coal, shale, coal liquids, shale oil, and bitumen with liquid water in the absence of externally supplied hydrogen or reducing agents, controlling the temperature in the range from above about 200.degree. C. to below the critical temperature of water to maintain water in a liquid phase, wherein the pressure is the corresponding vapor pressure (autogenous pressure) of the system, for a time sufficient to effect the conversion and upgrading process. Additionally, the contacting may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a brine catalyst, clay catalyst and mixtures thereof.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.