In order to produce ashless coal (HyperCoal) in a high yield. extractions with several organic solvents-tetralin, 1-methylnaphthalene, dimethylnaphthalene and light cycle oil (LCO) at 200-380degreesC were conducted for various ranks of coals, and subsequent solid/solution separation was done at room temperature. LCO was found to be a useful, cost-effective solvent, since it gave similar extraction yields to three other reagent solvents. The extraction yield for Illinois No. 6 coal gradually increased over 200degreesC, and a significant increase in extraction yield was observed from 350 to 360degreesC. We succeeded in producing ashless coal with less than 0.1% in ash content for seven of nine coals used in this study. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.