Initial solvation of coal with tetralin under liquefaction conditions

Secondary vitroplast, produced by treating a Liddell vitrinite concentrate with tetralin in a continuous flow, packed-bed microreactor under a nitrogen pressure of 13.8 MPa at 360, 410 and 460 °C, has been analysed by i.r. spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, solid state 13C n.m.r. and reflectance microscopy. Results showed that this intermediate in the liquefaction process had the same carbon aromaticity as the untreated vitrinite concentrate and that both its aromaticity and reflectance were independent of the temperature of formation. It was concluded that the initial solution of the vitrinite concentrate in tetralin involved no significant hydrogenation of the vitrinite.