A total process for methanol-mediated extraction was designed. The process consisted of (1)
methanol-mediated extraction, (2) neutral oil removal, (3) methanol recovery, (4) water treatment,
and (5) washing. The recovery ratio of each process was determined with the naphtha fraction
derived from Tanito Harum coal produced in a 150 t/day NEDOL coal liquefaction pilot plant
under the conditions of a feedstock/methanol/water ratio of 1:1:1. The mass balance of the total
system was calculated from the recovery ratios. In the total process, slight losses were found in
methanol, water, heptane, and toluene, requiring 2−21 g of addition per 1000 g of feedstock,
which were insignificant compared to the amount of feedstock. Based on the results, the entire
extraction process was mostly closed. Overall, 197 g of crude phenol containing 138 g of phenols
and 877 g of product oil were recovered from 1000 g of feedstock containing 206 g of phenols.