Abstract: Densified coal pellets of improved physical properties and enhanced calorific value are produced by a process which includes subjecting coal to a shearing-attritioning step followed by extrusion and drying steps, characterised by incorporating an additive into the coal that is subject to the said shearing-attritioning step, said additive being chosen from one or more of the group consisting of: alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, alkaline earth carbonates, oxides of base metals, oxides of transition metals, and small molecule carbonyl compounds.

Abstract: Process for treatment of brown coal which comprises subjecting the said coal to shearing forces to produce a plastic mass which is capable of conversion by subsequent compaction and drying into a fuel of increased density and enhanced calorific value, is characterized in that the water content of the coal is more than 54% and the shearing forces are applied for less than one hour, shorter times being preferred, for example less than 30 seconds. A preferred embodiment provides a continuous process in which the coal is treated in a machine that subjects it to sequential steps of shearing and extrusion in a continuous manner. The extruded product after drying provides the fuel of increased density and enhanced calorific value. The desired effect may also be obtained by treating part of a quantity of brown coal and blending the treated portion with the untreated remainder of the said quantity.

Abstract: A fuel of increased density and calorific value is produced by subjecting brown coal to shearing forces to produce a wet plastic mass which is subsequently compacted and dried.