CONVERSION INTO FLUID PHASE AND DIRECT LIQUEFACTION OF COAL.

It is well known that coal has the largest reserves and distribution among the energy resources of the world. Since the start of the energy crisis, coal utilization has gained renewed importance. To use coal, it is necessary to convert the solid into the fluid substances by means of the gasification and the liquefaction of coal. The outline of the Sunshine project in Japan and the energy independence project in the United States is given from the various viewpoints of coal utilization. Both the direct liquefaction and the solvent extraction liquefaction have attracted attention in the field of coal conversion in Japan.