Abstract: The invention provides methods to efficiently reduce the water concentration of raw solid fuels, including low rank coals such as brown coal, lignite, subbituminous coal, and other carbonaceous solids. Efficiently drying these materials at low temperatures significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and allows the production of low-rank coals for gasification and liquifaction.

Abstract: Novel nano-sized rare earth metal oxide prepared from aqueous reverse micelles is provided. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and sufficient oxygen vacancies on the surface of each particle, so that when mixed with carbon-containing combustible fuels, the particles remain suspended indefinitely; there is a significant reduction in soot and other by-products of combustion, an increase in engine efficiency and less fuel consumed per mile traveled in various vehicles, such as, but not limited to, automobiles, defense vehicles, airplanes, ships and other surface or air-bearing vehicles.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage fuel compositions comprising a mixture of at least one chemical hydride compound and at least one compound, polymer, carboxylic acid or salt that acts as a water surrogate source, and methods for thermally initiated hydrogen generation from fuel compositions, are disclosed. The water surrogate source/chemical hydride compositions are preferably solids, and may be powders, caplets, tablets, pellets or granules, for example. The water surrogate source/chemical hydride compositions may comprise alternating layers of the chemical hydride and of the water surrogate source.

Abstract: Fuel compositions containing fuels and glycerol are disclosed. The addition of glycerol increases the combustion value of the fuels, and enables combustion to take place more uniformly and with less slag formation. The use of glycerol for improving the combustion value and combustion efficiency of liquid or solid fuels is thus also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic fuels, additives for use in preparing synthetic fuels and methods for producing synthetic fuel. The synthetic fuels include low levels of a chemical change additive selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth oxides and hydroxides and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the synthetic fuel further includes low levels of a second chemical change additive, which is a petroleum hydrocarbon material.

Abstract: A fuel mixture containing a suspension in air at a concentration of about 200 mg of fuel per liter of air, of a solid fuel including at least one of a cereal flour, a cotton flour, a soybean flour, a potato flour, a cassava flour, a dehydrated chocolate powder and a dehydrated milk powder, the solid fuel being in the form of a powder having an average particle diameter and median particle diameter at least 150 ?m.

Abstract: A method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting aluminum trichloride and an alkali metal hydride to form an alane-ether complex solution. An aqueous ether solution is optionally added to the alane-ether complex solution to form a partially hydrolyzed ether/alane-ether complex solution. A solution of a crystallization additive is added to the alane-ether complex solution or to the aqueous ether/alane-ether complex solution to form a crystallization solution. The crystallization additive is selected from the group consisting of squalene, cyclododecatriene, norbornylene, norbornadiene, a phenyl terminated polybutadiene, 2,4-dimethyl anisole, 3,5-dimethyl anisole, 2,6-dimethyl anisole, polydimethyl siloxane, and mixtures thereof. Ether is removed from the crystallization solution to crystallize the ?-alane.

Abstract: A method of preparing a synthetic fuel from coal comprising applying to the coal an aqueous emulsion of one or more reactive polymers and thoroughly mixing the coal to yield a complete reaction of the coal with the reactive polymers, wherein the reactive polymers are selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate), vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/ethylene), acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers and poly(acrylamide).

Abstract: Fuel composition which combusts instantaneously, comprising from 40 to 95% by weight of an instantaneously combusting fossil fuel and from 60 to 5% by weight of a non-fossil solid fuel chosen from the group comprising urban solid waste, elastomeric and non-elastomeric polymer materials and, mixtures thereof, this fuel being suitably treated so as to be instantaneously combustible. Method and plant for the instantaneous combustion of the said composition.

Abstract: An organically clean biomass fuel formed of mixture of a powder, which may be either dried, cellulosic product, wood charcoal powder, and/or a combination of the two, and a fluid, which may be vegetable oil, vegetable alcohol or a combination of the two. A centrifugal machine dries moist, cellulosic product and extracts black liquor. A grinder transforms the dried, cellulosic product into powder. Gum may be extracted from the vegetable oil or vegetable alcohol. A batch mixer or vibrating vessel mixes the powder and the fluid together; the fluid moisturizes the powder. Depending upon the relative amount of the fluid as compared to powder, the mixture will either be in a liquid cream state or a doughy state. If the latter, the mixture may be pressed into briquettes or ingots.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the operation of an emission after treatment system in a combustion system includes supplying a fuel and additive that includes a manganese compound to a combustion system. The fuel is then combusted in the combustion chamber to produce at least one byproduct including the manganese compound. The manganese compound is supplied in an amount effective to complex with the combustion byproduct. The combustion system may include a catalyzed, or alternatively, a continuously regenerating technology, diesel particulate filter.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating bituminous coal fines with a tall-oil mix that may include enhancer additives that either increase the chemical change capability of the tall-oil mix or reduce the cost of the tall-oil mix while maintaining the chemical change rate, and/or an additive of tar decanter sludge and light cycle oil. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The tall-oil mix is reacted with the coal, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel. When the enhanced tall-oil mix is reacted with bituminous metallurgical coal, the product is a synthetic fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sulfonated coal tar distillate salt polymer that is a condensation product of an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde, and a sulfonated middle fraction obtained during coal tar distillation. The middle fraction includes from about 40% to about 95% by weight naphthalene and from about 5% to about 60% by weight of a plurality of compounds selected from the group consisting of quinoline, indene, biphenyl, indane, acenaphthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, methyl naphthalene, cresol, phenol, xylenol, and tetralin. The present invention also provides a method of forming a sulfonated coal tar distillate salt polymer.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating fines of bituminous coal with an emulsion of a tall-oil mix, which may include enhancers that either increase the chemical change in the coal or reduce the cost of the synthetic fuel. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The emulsion is sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.

Abstract: An aqueous additive containing a metal compound is used to improve the operation of combustion exhaust after treatment systems. The additive is introduced into the combustion chamber as part of an emulsion with the fuel or, alternatively, in the emulsion or alone as an aqueous stream introduced into the exhaust or emission path. The metal compound scavenges combustion byproducts in order to protect and make more efficient the after treatment system.

Abstract: A method of preparing a synthetic fuel from coal comprising reacting the coal with a polymer composition comprising an aqueous solution or an aqueous emulsion of one or more reactive polymers, the reactive polymers selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate), vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers, poly(vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/ethylene), acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers and poly(acrylamide).

Abstract: Organic fuel includes dried organic material ground to a particulate size of substantially less than 300 microns. The particulate material may advantageously be of less than or equal to 10 microns. The organic matter may be chosen from the group containing agricultural waste or wood waste, wherein the agricultural waste may include waste straw and wherein the wood waste may include bark.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid fuel and a fuel mixture containing it.

Abstract: Binder compositions for converting coal waste into fuel including a distillable petroleum hydrocarbon emulsified with a surfactant and water are provided. The invention also includes methods for making the binder compositions. The methods include blending a distillable petroleum hydrocarbon petroleum hydrocarbon with water and a surfactant. In another aspect, a fuel product is provided which includes the reaction product of carbonaceous fine particles and a binder composition of this invention. The binder composition is provided in an amount necessary to increase the hydrophobic characteristics of the carbonaceous fine particles and bring about a statistically significant change in their chemistry. In one embodiment the binder composition is present in an amount between about 1.5 percent and about 4.0 percent of the total weight. Methods are also provided for making fuel from fine carbonaceous materials, which include exposing the carbonaceous materials to a binder composition of this invention.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing a bituminous material and an effective amount of a methyl/ethyl ester diluent for coating bulk solids are disclosed. The coating compositions of the present invention are particularly suited to reduce dust formation and cake formation in fertilizer and coal.

Abstract: Organic fuel includes dried organic material ground to a particulate size of substantially less than 300 microns. The particulate material may advantageously be of less than or equal to 10 microns. The organic matter may be chosen from the group containing agricultural waste or wood waste, wherein the agricultural waste may include waste straw and wherein the wood waste may include bark.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing charcoal and graphite of selectable varying degrees of volatile content from all types of waste wood, bark and vegetable matter are disclosed. The method uses horizontal force fed retorts arranged in tiers of rows across the width of a refractory oven. Because it can use various organic material, including wood waste, mixed up with bark in any ratio, the invention provides a solution to the forest industry waste proliferation problem. Organic material is carried through the retort by a screw which has its flights interrupted in gas collection areas. Loose plugs of organic material form in the gas collection areas and prevent the escape of gases by way of the ends of the retort. Gases are collected by gas vents which connect to the retort in the gas collection areas.

Abstract: Vehicular emissions are reduced/purified via combustion of the hydrocarbon fuel therefor, e.g., diesel fuel, in the presence of a cerium compound, preferably a cerium (IV) compound, to produce soots having depressed ignition temperatures that contain effective purifying amounts of aggregates of ceric oxide crystallites, the largest particle size dimension of which ranging from 50 .ANG. (5 nanometers) to 10,000 .ANG. (1,000 nanometers) and the crystallite sizes of which, measured by Debye-Scherrer technique, ranging from 50 .ANG. (5 nanometers) to 250 .ANG. (25 nanometers).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition suitable for making fuel elements for smoking articles, which comprises at least about 50 weight percent, preferably at least about 60 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 70 weight percent powdered elemental carbon, preferably carbon obtained from the controlled carbonization of hardwood paper pulp. The fuel composition also comprises at least about 1 weight percent, preferably at least about 5 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 10 weight percent of a suitable binder. The fuel composition of the present invention can include at least about 3 weight percent, preferably at least about 5 weight percent, and most preferably at least about 8 weight percent powdered graphite.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the refinement of organic material is disclosed. Converting and processing organic material is achieved with or without organic and inorganic additions. The base material uses waste material, i.e. forest industry waste and slaughter-house waste. The method and apparatus produce a packeted end product, specifically carbon powder/granulate as full and charcoal for grilling/smoking, as well as active coal and additives for steel production.

Abstract: A process for demineralizing and agglomerating coal in which the coal is subjected to pulverization in order to separate mineral matters therefrom and resulting coal particles are agglomerated through the use of a bridging liquid and a binder. Oversided coal particles are recycled in a grinding circuit until they are reduced to an acceptable size and bridging liquid is removed from the microagglomerates of coal in a low shear reactor and recovered for reuse in the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing light hydrocarbons, such as heptane, from coal agglomerates includes an enclosed chamber having a substantially horizontal perforate surface therein. The coal agglomerates are introduced into a water bath within the chamber. The agglomerates are advanced over the surface while steam is substantially continuously introduced through the surface into the water bath. Steam heats the water and causes volatilization of the light hydrocarbons, which may be collected from the overhead of the chamber. The resulting agglomerates may be collected at the opposite end from the surface and subjected to final draining processes prior to transportation or use.

Abstract: Aluminum-coated ammonium perchlorate is prepared in an apparatus consisting f a four-opening reaction flask (which serves as a vacuum chamber). The reaction flask is fitted with an electrically-heated tungsten helix coil (for vaporizing the aluminum), a mercury diffusion pump, a mechanical vacuum pump, a dry ice-acetone-cooled trap, and a McLeod pressure-measurement gage. The heater electrodes are submitted through two of the openings; reduced pressure operation is maintained through the third opening, and the aluminum is fed through the fourth opening. The reaction flask is operated at approximately 10 Torr. A magnetic stirrer permits the ammonium perchlorate to be vaporized onto the surface of the ammonium perchlorate after the melted aluminum on the tungsten helix coil is subsequently vaporized from the tungsten helix coil.

Abstract: Means and methods of producing catalytically coated microspheres of hydrocarbon fuel in a tower into which precharged free floating initially frozen globules of hydrocarbon fuel are drawn through a catalytic plasma field by an attracting electrostatic force disposed thereabove for catalytic coating and partial neutralization of the globule precharge until the coated globules descends in response to gravitational forces through the plasma field into a container disposed therebeneath.

Abstract: A method for the production of highly comminuted flour of wood and other types of vegetable biomass suitable for the use as fuel, in that coarsely ground wood or other type of coarsely ground vegetable biomass is treated with a dilute solution of an alkaline substance, and subsequently exposed to elevated temperatures, whereafter the treated coarsely ground material is subjected to grinding, whereby a finely divided powder with a narrow particle size distribution is obtained.

Abstract: A process for disposing of toxic organic waste fluids comprising contacting a polymeric carrier particle, such as ground tire rubber, with a toxic organic fluid that dissolves in the solid polymeric carrier. The waste fluid dissolved in the polymeric carrier forms a stable product for transportation and incineration.

Abstract: A process for preparing coal for use as a fuel. Forming a coal-water slurry having solid coal particles with a particle size not exceeding about 80 microns, transferring the coal-water slurry to a solid bowl centrifuge, and operating same to classify the ground coal-water slurry to provide a centrate containing solid particles with a particle size distribution of from about 5 microns to about 20 microns and a centrifuge cake of solids having a particle size distribution of from about 10 microns to about 80 microns. The classifer cake is reground and mixed with fresh feed to the solid bowl centrifuge for additional classification.