A project to develop a catalyst that can directly turn coal into liquid coal, undertaken by Beijing Coal Research Institute, has passed the verification check. The project has resulted in 3 invention and 2 utility model patent applications.

Financed by the National 863 Program, the Institute rolled out an experimental device for consecutive catalyst preparation, and gone through trial consecutive operations. Researchers have made repeated testing on the new catalyst in the liquidifying device. The proprietary 863 catalyst can evenly distribute over the carrier surface, giving a maximum show of catalyst activity, with only one fourth of the dosage needed by the conventional catalyst, and an increased oil recovery by 5%, compared with regular iron based catalysts. It costs only RMB 14-19 for the new catalyst to produce a ton of liquid coal, demonstrating a strong profitable side with broad application perspectives.