Abstract: A method for treating coal includes drying coal in an initial drying step. The dried coal is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis step to form coal char and evolved gases. The coal char is eventually cooled and blended. The evolved gases are condensed in at least two, preferably three or more, distinct zones at different temperatures to condense coal-derived liquids (CDLs) from the evolved coal gas. Noncondensable gases may be returned to the pyrolysis chamber as a heat-laden sweep gas, or further processed as a fuel stream. The CDLs may optionally be centrifuged and/or filtered or otherwise separated from remaining particulate coal sludge. The sludge may be combined with coal char, optionally for briquetting; while the CDLs are stored. Precise control of the condensing zone temperatures allows control of the amount and consistency of the condensate fractions collected.

Abstract: An artificial firelog and firestarter chip producing apparatus comprising a cutting assembly, a compression conveyor auger assembly and a die. The apparatus converts standard waxed corrugated cardboard boxes into artificial firelogs by first slicing cardboard sheets into cardboard strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments in the cutting assembly. The cardboard segments are compressed and in the compression conveyor auger assembly and extruded in the die to form generally circular, longitudinally-shaped sections of a firelog. Firestarter chips are fabricated by the cutting assembly, which slices cardboard sheets in conjunction with paper sheets into cardboard and paper strips, then chopping the cardboard strips into cardboard segments and the paper strips into paper mix.

Abstract: A fuel additive composition comprising a sustained release component and an additive component, the additive component is effective to provide at least one benefit to a fuel when released into the fuel, the sustained release component is (1) a polymeric material, (2) substantially insoluble in the fuel, and (3) effective to reduce the rate of release of the additive component into the fuel relative to an identical composition without the sustained release component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method by which low-rank coal may be processed to provide a high-energy feedstock for coal gasification and synthesis gas production. Preliminary coal, preparation, which may include washing and drying, is followed by wax-impregnation to produce a high-energy, low-moisture, stable feedstock. The wax is preferably obtained from an on-site Fischer-Tropsch reactor that also produces diesel fuel and naptha.

Abstract: A method of producing coal briquette at a low energy cost by saving heating step or drying step for fine coal, which comprises adding and mixing from 1 to 10 mass parts of powdery starch to a coal having 15 mass % or more of water content and comprising 50 mass % or more of particles with grain size of 5 mm or less to form 100 mass parts of a mixture, and coating the surface of the briquette product with 0.1 to 5 mass parts of a heavy oil component simultaneously with or after pressure briquetting the mixture by a double roll briquetting machine in which concaves are formed on the roll surface, as well as coal briquette which is inexpensive and has high strength and high waterproof.

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: A long burning fire starter produced by mixing diatomaceous earth particles with wood pellets; soaking the particles and pellet mix in a liquid burning agent and, if desired, a dye and fragrance; coating the soaked mix with wax; and packaging the soaked and coated mix in an airtight package.

Abstract: A composition and method for applying to a coal product for dust suppression, water repellency, and spontaneous combustion potential reduction. The composition includes molasses and a hydrocarbon-based solution, such as an oil-containing solution. The oil-containing solution is substantially free of water and may comprise about 20% asphalt. Both the molasses and the oil-containing solution may comprise at least about 40% of the total composition by weight. The method of applying the composition includes reducing a moisture content of a plurality of pieces of coal, cooling the plurality of pieces of coal after said reducing step and treating the plurality of pieces of coal after the reducing step, with a composition comprising an oil and molasses.

Abstract: An artificial firelog which contain 2% to about 6%.sub.w coriander seed added to create a crackling sound that mimics the sounds produced during the burning of natural logs. The random crackling sound continues for approximately the same time period as observed with the burning of natural wood firelogs and has an amplitude and frequency of crackling sound that mimics burning natural wood logs.

Abstract: The artificial firelogs of this invention provide a natural visual and audible sensation so that the artificial firelogs have both a soothing flickering flame and a crackling or popping sound normally observed only with natural wood logs. The crackling additive can be mustard seeds, sesame seeds and synthetic hollow spheres.

Abstract: A process is described whereby wet coal may be dehydrated and inhibited against rehydration by immersing in a bath of molten paraffin hydrocarbon for a sufficient period of time to evaporate and expel inherent water from the coal. The hydrocarbon then inhibits any rehydration period. It is also an embodiment of this invention to describe a process whereby the water expelled may be recovered for useful purposes.

Abstract: A wax-based brick such as a wax and sawdust brick for starting fires in fireplaces and the like is shaped to reduce the area of contact between adjacent bricks in a stack to make the bricks easy to separate from the stack even when the wax has slightly melted. The bricks may have a central cross-section which is octagonal, hexagonal, trapezoidal, or generally rectangular with convex or concave upper and lower walls. The end portions of the bricks have generally rectangular cross-sections to facilitate stacking.

Abstract: Fine particles are dewatered in an energy efficient process in which a non-polar liquid or a mixture of different hydrophobic liquids are used to displace the water from the particle surface. Thermodynamically, this process is spontaneous. The only energy required for this process is to recover the hydrophobic liquid(s) for recycling purposes. The hydrophobic liquids are recovered in gaseous form either by lowering the pressure or by heating, and converted back to liquid form for re-use. The most economical reagents that can be used for this purpose include propane, butane, pentane, and ethane. Carbon dioxide may also be used for the dewatering process described in the present invention. The process of dewatering by displacement is capable of achieving the same or better level of moisture reduction as thermal drying but at substantially lower energy costs.

Abstract: Fine coals are dewatered in an energy efficient process in which a non-polar liquid or a mixture of different hydrophobic liquids are used to displace the water from the coal surface. This process works with higher rank coals that are naturally hydrophobic so that the coal surface from which the water is displaced has a stronger affinity for the hydrophobic liquid than the water. Thermodynamically, this process is spontaneous and, hence, requires no energy. The only energy required for this process is to recover the spent hydrophobic liquid(s) for recycling purposes. The hydrophobic liquids are recovered in gaseous form either by lowering the pressure or by heating, and coverted back to liquid form for re-use. The most economical reagents that can be used for this purpose include propane, butane, pentane, and ethane. Carbon dioxide can also be used for the dewatering process described in the present invention.

Abstract: A process of dewatering and agglomerating fine coal. The process consists of treating an aqueous fine coal slurry with a chemical binding agent prior to filtration or drying. The preferred chemical binding agent is an emulsifiable process oil. The process results in more efficient dewatering and low dustiness of the treated coal.

Abstract: In a coal liquefaction process an aqueous slurry of coal is prepared containing a dissolved liquefaction catalyst. A small quantity of oil is added to the slurry and then coal-oil agglomerates are prepared by agitation of the slurry at atmospheric pressure. The resulting mixture is drained of excess water and dried at atmospheric pressure leaving catalyst deposited on the agglomerates. The agglomerates then are fed to an extrusion device where they are formed into a continuous ribbon of extrudate and fed into a hydrogenation reactor at elevated pressure and temperature. The catalytic hydrogenation converts the extrudate primarily to liquid hydrocarbons in the reactor. The liquid drained in recovering the agglomerates is recycled.

Abstract: A finely-divided carbonaceous material is dewatered and reconstituted in a combined process by adding a binding agent directly into slurry of finely divided material and dewatering the material to form a cake or consolidated piece which can be hardened by drying at ambient or elevated temperatures. Alternatively, the binder often in the form of a crusting agent is sprayed onto the surface of a moist cake prior to curing.