Process for treating coal to improve recovery of condensable coal derived liquids

A method for treating effluent gases evolved from a coal pyrolysis process, the method comprising

• passing the effluent gases through a high temperature cyclone to remove particulates;
• passing the effluent gases from the cyclone through a variable throat venturi;
• passing the evolved gases from the venturi through at least two distinct condensation zones, each zone being maintained at a different temperature to condense to liquids the different boiling point fractions of the evolved gases;
• (optionally) directing the liquids from each condensation zone to one or more separation units to separate particulate sludge and/or impurities from the condensed liquids;
• and
• directing the condensed liquids from each separation unit to its own separate storage tank, wherein the temperature of each condensing zone is controlled within a predetermined temperature range to collect a desired CDL fraction in each of the storage tanks.

A method for treating effluent gases evolved from a coal pyrolysis process, the method comprising

• passing the evolved gases through at least two distinct condensation zones, each zone being maintained at a different temperature to condense to liquids the different boiling point fractions of the evolved gases;
• (optionally) directing the liquids from each condensation zone to one or more separation units to separate particulate sludge and/or impurities from the condensed liquids;
• directing noncondensed gases from the absorber to an electrostatic precipitator to remove mist particulates,
• dividing the gases evolved from the electrostatic precipitator into a first portion that is returned to the pyrolysis chamber as a sweep gas, and a second portion that is cooled to condense and remove water vapor present to form a dried gaseous fuel;
• and
• directing the condensed liquids from each separation unit to its own separate storage tank, wherein the temperature of each condensing zone is controlled within a predetermined temperature range to collect a desired CDL fraction in each of the storage tanks.