The behavior of liquefaction of Shengli (SL) lignite with methanol and CaO in the presence of FeS and tetralin (THN) was studied. The effects of reaction temperature and time on the liquefaction behavior of SL lignite with methanol and CaO were preliminarily investigated. The liquefaction products obtained were analyzed by FTIR spectrum and elemental analysis. The results show that SL lignite liquefaction with methanol and CaO in the presence of FeS is one of the feasible liquefaction methods. This method has some advantages such as the higher liquefied product yields and n-hexane soluble (HS) + gas yield compared to that of liquefaction in H-2 atmosphere; and carrying out at lower pressure, which was only one third of that of liquefaction in H-2 initial pressure of 5 MPa. The reaction temperature and time significantly affect the liquefied product yields and distributions. The lignite liquefied product yield and gas + HS yield reach to 81.8% and 62% respectively at 400 degrees C for 2 h, which are significantly higher than those of liquefaction in H-2 initial pressure 5 MPa. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.