I’m very skeptical about coal NOT being burned or somehow heated with some source of energy to make “clean” oil. Even if you merely heat coal there is a lot of by-product waste to be dealt with.
I say “clean” oil because it is just not clean burning. There is always a by-product to burning. Small maybe, but always a by-product.
I do not want to slice at small amounts or points but just want an honest discussion.
Running steady state or not. What is not fuel is waste and it is irreducible.
Also I disagree with your irreducible waste theory. History is replete with very ingenious ways of dealing with waste and turning a profit.