The effect of operating conditions on the liquefaction behaviour of a Spanish lignite was studied using a 250 ml stirred autoclave, and the following operating conditions (except otherwise specified): 400 °C, 1 hour, 3.5 MPa initial (cold) H2pressure, 400 rpm and 40 g/10 g tetralin/coal charge. The liquefaction products were fractionated into oils, asphaltenes, preasphaltenes and solid residue using pentane, toluene and THF as extractive solvents