The Bergius process

a mid 20th century technology

This is another German process in which direct hydrogenation of coal takes place.Hydrogen, at 700 atm pressure, is injected into a heavy paste of crushed coal.At a temperature of 400^oC and with an iron(III)/moylbdenum(IV) oxide catalyst

nC(s) + (n + 1)H₂(g) ® C_nH_2n+2(g)

Now we can ask questions about equilibrium, pressure, temperature, role of catalyst, (LeChatelier)

This process is easily adapted to give high diesel fuel yield.