Abstract: A method of upgrading coal is disclosed, the method comprising: subjecting the coal to a hydrothermal dewatering process at a temperature and a pressure above ambient conditions to produce dewatered coal; removing ash tailings from the dewatered coal to produced reduced ash dewatered coal; and producing a coal water slurry with the reduced ash dewatered coal. An apparatus for upgrading coal is also disclosed, the apparatus comprising: a hydrothermal dewatering reactor connected to receive coal and output dewatered coal; an ash separator connected to receive dewatered coal from the hydrothermal dewatering reactor and output reduced ash dewatered coal; a slurrifier connected to receive reduced ash dewatered coal from the ash separator and output a coal water slurry.

Abstract: A bromination process includes contacting fly ash with liquid bromine to increase the mercury adsorbing ability of the fly ash. The resultant brominated fly ash can be used to adsorb mercury in a high temperature combustion gas.

Abstract: A bromination process includes contacting fly ash with liquid bromine to increase the mercury adsorbing ability of the fly ash. The resultant brominated fly ash can be used to adsorb mercury in a high temperature combustion gas.

Abstract: A method of adsorbing mercury includes the use of silver nanodots formed on chabazite as a sorbent. The silver nanodots may be formed on chabazite by ion-exchange followed by activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a reactive oily bubble carrier comprising: (a) a gas bubble having an oil-coating; and (b) a collector dissolved within the oil-coating. The present invention also provides for the use a reactive oily bubble carrier in a flotation target particle separation process. The present invention also provides for a flotation target particle separation process using the reactive oily bubble carriers disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of improving hydrocarbon recovery from oil sands, oil shale, and petroleum residues includes adding a polymeric or nonpolymeric processing aid capable of sequestering cations, such as the multivalent calcium, magnesium and iron cations. The hydrocarbons are preferably contacted with the processing aid before a primary separation of the hydrocarbons in order to increase bitumen recovery. A processing aid is provided in an effective amount to increase the liberation of the hydrocarbons from inorganic solids, particularly when the source is a poor processing ore. Preferred processing aids include citric acid or a polymeric acid selected from polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, salts of these acids, partial salts of these acids, and combinations thereof. The processing aids significantly increase the hydrocarbon recovery typically with concentrations less than 50 ppm and the polymeric processing aids can also provide beneficial flocculation of solids in tailings slurry.

Abstract: A process for recovering fine coals and clarifying water for recycling features with three distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic extraction, electrolyte coagulation, and macromolecular flocculation, which if desired may be integrated into a single stage. The hydrophobic extraction is accomplished using oil to form a coal-in-oil mixture. The process water is clarified using a flocculants, more preferably a combination of coagulant and anionic flocculants. With a well defined reagent addition scheme, this process allows a combustible recovery greater than 88% at an ash content less than 11%, while producing a clean water containing less than 20 ppm suspended solids from a tailing's stream. The coal-in-oil mixture may be used as a fuel for example in coal-firing boilers and power generators.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a reactive oily bubble carrier comprising: (a) a gas bubble having an oil-coating; and (b) a collector dissolved within the oil-coating. The present invention also provides for the use a reactive oily bubble carrier in a flotation target particle separation process. The present invention also provides for a flotation target particle separation process using the reactive oily bubble carriers disclosed herein.