LIQUEFACTION AND OR SOLUBILIZATION OF SPANISH COALS BY NEWLY ISOLATEDMICROORGANISMS/

A screening procedure has been set up for isolating microorganisms cap able of liquefying coal. Spanish coals were used in the tests, namely a brown lignite from Galicia, sub-bituminous coal from Teruel and hard coal from Minas Figaredo S.A. (Asturias). Among the isolated strains several microorganisms proved capable of liquefying untreated lignite. When lignites were pretreated a more intense and rapid liquefaction w as achieved, chelating agents being among the best pretreatments. None of the isolated microorganisms could satisfactorily liquefy sub-bitum inous and hard coals in solid media. On the other hand, some fungi gre w specifically on the untreated coals, engulfing them and in many case s a soft slurry was obtained. Several of the isolated microorganisms w ere able to solubilize all three untreated Spanish coals in liquid med ia. Coal solubilization was measured spectrophotometrically at 300, 40 0 and 450 nm.