Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the conversion of biomaterials into structural carbon products, particularly utilizing a hydrothermal treatment step that is carried out on a high molar mass organic starting material having a carbon content of >40 wt % of the dry matter. The invention also concerns a structural carbon product obtained using such a process, which has well-defined physico-chemical properties, e.g. in terms of surface area, carbon content, density, size and shape.

Abstract: A production apparatus of an ashless coal includes a preheater, an extraction tank, a feed pipe, a solid-liquid separator and a solvent separator. The preheater heats a solvent. The extraction tank extracts a coal component soluble in the solvent from a slurry including a mixture of a coal and the solvent heated by the preheater. The coal feeding unit feeds the coal to the feed pipe by pressuring a feed part to the feed pipe such that the solvent does not flow back. The solid-liquid separator separates a solution part containing the coal component from the slurry. The solvent separator evaporates and separates the solvent from the solution part to obtain an ashless coal.

Abstract: A method for storing upgraded coal, which is economical and whereby it becomes possible to prevent the spontaneous ignition of piles; and grain-size-controlled coal which rarely undergoes spontaneous ignition during storage. The method for storing upgraded coal includes piling up granular coal containing upgraded coal, wherein the content of grains each having a grain size of 10 mm or less in the coal is 50 mass % or more. It is preferred that the content of grains each having a grain size of 1 mm or less is 25 mass % or more and the content of grains each having a grain size of 0.15 mm or less is 7 mass % or more in the coal.

Abstract: A method for producing a briquetted solid fuel includes pulverizing a low-rank coal. The pulverized low-rank coal is mixed with a solvent oil to give a slurry. The slurry is heated and dewatered to give a dewatered slurry. The solvent oil is separated from the dewatered slurry to give a cake. The cake is heated to further separate the solvent oil from the cake to thereby give a refined coal in powder form. The refined coal is combined with a property-controlling coal in powder form having, as properties, a loose bulk density of 0.6 kg/L or more and an angle of repose of 40° or less, to give a briquetting feedstock containing the property-controlling coal in an amount of 5 to 70 mass percent based on the total mass of the briquetting feedstock. The briquetting feedstock is briquetted under pressure to give the briquetted solid fuel in briquette form.

Abstract: A separation system and method for separating one or more solid fossil fuels from a contaminated source in a liquid medium, the system including primary separation means and secondary separation means, the primary and secondary separation means being arranged to operate with liquid media of differing specific gravities.

Abstract: A process for demineralizing coal includes the steps of forming a slurry of coal particles in an alkali solution, the slurry containing 10-30% by weight coal, maintaining the slurry at a temperature of 150-250° C. under a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling, separating the slurry into an alkalized coal and a spent alkali leachant, forming an acidified slurry of the alkalized coal, the acidified slurry having a pH of 0.5-1.5, separating the acidified slurry into a coal- containing fraction and a substantially liquid fraction, subjecting the coal-containing fraction to a washing step, particularly a hydrothermal washing step, in which the coal-containing fraction is mixed with water and a polar organic solvent or water and an organic acid to form a mixture and separating the coal from the mixture. The demineralized coal has an ash content of from 0.01-0.2% by weight and can be used a feed to a gas turbine.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the application of additives to a feed material at a location remote from an industrial facility using the feed material.

Abstract: The invention provides a processing method for upgrading an organic phase substance by removing heavy element species from the organic phase substance originating from a resource substance in mild environmental conditions, and further provides a method for collecting removed heavy element species and a method for collecting other substances.

Abstract: Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components: reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or CI in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.

Abstract: Reformed coal production equipment includes: a combustion furnace (124) generating heated gas; dry distillation gas supply pipe (101) supplying dry distillation gas (14) generated at the inner cylinder (122) of a dry distillation device (121) to the combustion furnace; vapor generator (125) to which a portion of the heated gas (11) generated at the combustion furnace is supplied and which generates waste heat gas (13) by subjecting the heated gas to heat exchange; and discharge pipe (52), waste heat gas delivery pipe (53), mixed gas delivery pipe (55), blower (126), mixed gas supply pipe (56), mixed gas branching pipe (102), flow rate adjustment valve (103), and mixed gas allocation pipe (105) which supply and allocate, to the aforementioned inner cylinder, the waste heat gas and low-temperature heated gas (12) generated by indirectly heating dried coal (2) by the heated gas within the outer cylinder (123) of the dry distillation device.

Abstract: Powder components containing calcium, alumina, silica, iron, magnesium, and a halogen sorbent are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents are added to the coal ahead of combustion and/or are added into the flame or downstream of the flame. The alkalinity and chlorine of the powder is minimized in order to mitigate unwanted fouling, especially when used with sub-bituminous and lignite coals.

Abstract: A flue gas additive is provided that includes both a nitrogenous component to reduce gas phase nitrogen oxides and a halogen-containing component to oxidize gas phase elemental mercury.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a high-quality reduced metal using an upgraded coal as a carbonaceous material to be incorporated. In the method, coal is first aged by heating in an organic solvent to produce upgraded coal for metallurgy having higher thermal plasticity than that of the coal. Then, a mixture of the upgraded coal for metallurgy and a metal oxide-containing raw material is agglomerated by an agglomerator, and the resultant agglomerates are reduced by heating in a furnace and then melted by further heating to produce a reduced melt. The reduced melt is cooled and solidified in the furnace to produce a reduced solid. The reduced solid is discharged to the outside of the furnace and slag is removed using a screen to recover a metal as a reduced metal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are apparatuses for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are systems for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are upgraded carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Abstract: Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.

Abstract: The present process produces a clean burning coal from low grade coal and has a higher heating value per unit mass, as compared to the feed stock coal. The clean coal may be used in coal-fired power plants, industrial boilers, and homes since it produces fewer or none of the emissions commonly associated with coal burning devices. The process treats coal prior to its combustion and removes about 90 percent of the pollutants. These pollutants are removed within 6 to 18 minutes, many of which may be recycled into products such as roofing tar, chemical feed stocks, and light hydrocarbons that can be used as gaseous fuels. The final product is suitable for use in homes where coal is used for cooking and heating, and significantly improves the health of those who have previously been exposed to toxic fumes from burning uncleaned coal in their homes. The process is fueled by its own by-products, recycles heat, and reduces coal weight to save energy in transporting it to the user.

Abstract: A process for improving mined coal includes comminuting the coal to a particle size at which individual macerals are available. Reactive macerals are extracted from the comminuted coal as froth from the top of a deep-column flotation cell. The extracted macerals are then de-watered.

Abstract: Methods of treating mercury contaminated gas comprising: introducing a hydrogen halide selected from HBr and HI into a mercury contaminated gas stream containing a quantity of particulate matter at an introduction rate sufficient to create a concentration of at least 0.1 ppmvd; wherein greater than 50% of all particulate matter in the mercury contaminated gas stream is a native particulate matter; contacting a quantity of active bromine with the native particulate matter; creating a doped particulate matter; coating a filtration media with the doped particulate matter; and passing a portion of the mercury contaminated gas stream through the doped particulate matter on the filtration media and other related methods are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for dewatering water-containing coal which includes heating the water-containing coal at a temperature of 100 to 350° C. under a pressure not less than a saturated steam pressure at the temperature for the heating, while applying a shearing force of 0.01 to 20 MPa to the coal, in a sealed vessel. The method is novel and allows the production of dewatered coal which is inhibited from reabsorbing water after dewatering and is also inhibited from absorbing oxygen after dewatering.

Abstract: Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Abstract: A printing ink includes a micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material. The micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material is produced using a method of providing a controlled batch of micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material. This method includes the steps of: (a) specifying at least one desired physical and/or chemical parameter of the controlled batch of coal material; (b) specifying the desired range of the physical and/or chemical parameter in the controlled batch of coal material; (c) obtaining a feedstock batch of coal material; and (d) processing a feedstock batch of coal material to obtain the controlled batch of coal material having the at least one specified physical and/or chemical parameter in the specified range thereof. In a further step, the controlled batch of coal material can be activated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an additive, primarily for low sulfur and high alkali coals, that includes a transition metal and optionally a halogen to effect mercury oxidation.

Abstract: Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Abstract: A coal treatment process containing a coal-beneficiation process module. The module is implemented into the conventional coal treatment process of a coal-fired power plant after a first step of grinding the coal in a coal mill. The process module sequentially extracts chemical substances of non-combustible ash, water, mercury and oil that are found in coal before the coal is fired, so that present invention can produce valuable products and achieve a high quality cleaned powdered coal-char to burn in a furnace to thereby reduce pollution and increase the efficiency of energy production from the coal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a thermal installation comprising a combustion chamber fed with a fuel contaminated with vanadium, with sulphur and possibly with sodium. In particular, the combustion chamber is also fed with boron and with magnesium, in quantities such that the sodium molar ratio s=Na2SO4/V2O5, the magnesium molar ratio m=MgO/V2O5 and the boron molar ratio b=B2O3/V2O5 satisfy the equation m?3+2b?s, so that the combustion products comprise magnesium orthovanadate, mixed magnesium boron oxide and possibly sodium borate. The invention also provides for the use of such a method to inhibit corrosion of the thermal installation by vanadium oxide, possibly in the presence of sodium.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the removal of inorganic components such as potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus and heavy metals, from biomass of rural or forest or urban origin or even mixture of different origin biomasses, from low quality coals such as peat, lignite and sub-bituminous/bituminous coals, from urban/industrial origin residues/wastes, which are possible to include as much organic—>5% weight—as inorganic—<95% weight—charge and from sewage treatment plant sludges. The desired goal is achieved with the physicochemical treatment of the raw material. The method can also include the thermal treatment, which can precede or follow the physicochemical one. The application of the thermal treatment depends on the nature and the particular characteristics of each raw material as well as on the feasibility analysis of the whole process in order to determine the optimization point in each case.

Abstract: An improved organo-refining process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coal, comprising: mixing coal, solvent and a co-solvent to produce a slurry; feeding the slurry to a reactor by pumping; extracting a coal-solvent mixture from the reactor; feeding the extracted mixture to a flasher unit; recovering about 30% of the solvent from the flashing unit; feeding the remaining heavy material to an evaporator; extracting about 60% of solvent from the evaporator; discharging the residue from the evaporator to a precipitator having water which produces a coal slurry; filtering the slurry in a rotary drum; collecting the super clean coal as a residue and feeding the filtrate into a distillation unit; and separating the water and the organic material in the filtrate to recover at least 7 to 8% of the remaining solvent.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for comminuting coal or other fuel solids in a shear field, and for optionally coating the solids with catalysts for combustion, liquefaction, and or gasification during the milling process. The process further provides for control of water content in the solids may be controlled before, during and after the milling in order to obtain micronized solids with fine hydration layers. The output fuel solids from the process can burn at low temperatures, avoiding emissions of nitrogen oxides, and they also have improved properties for surfactant-free suspension in either water or oil media, as well as for liquefaction and gasification.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing solid combustion products includes the combustion products first being mixed with a base before the mixture obtained is sintered, wherein the sintered mixture can be washed out with an acid solution after sintering.

Abstract: A process for treating input coal includes treating input coal in a pyrolysis step to form coal char. The pyrolysis step includes heating the coal substantially in the absence of oxygen to remove volatile material from the coal. The volatile material evolved from the coal in the pyrolysis step is treated to separate the volatile material into gases and liquids, wherein the liquids contain condensed volatile material. A portion of the liquids is directed to the coal char, and the returned portion of the liquids is mixed with the coal char, thereby returning some of the volatile material to the coal char.

Abstract: Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are apparatuses for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are systems for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are upgraded carbonaceous materials.

Abstract: (Problems) Providing a method and an apparatus for producing a solid fuel, capable of suppressing increase in dust coal concentration in circulating oil.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a heat integrated coal treating system having a two-stage coal treating process. In one embodiment, the two-stage treating process may include an HF reactor and an HNO3 reactor coupled to the nitric acid reactor and having a fluid exchanging heat between the hydrofluoric acid reactor and the nitric acid reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for using coal from coal processing sources to remove coal fines from a mixture and form a coal-on-coal composite particle.

Abstract: A separation system and method for separating one or more solid fossil fuels from a contaminated source in a liquid medium, the system including primary separation means and secondary separation means, the primary and secondary separation means being arranged to operate with liquid media of differing specific gravities.

Abstract: Method for producing pulverized coal, the method comprising the steps of heating a drying gas, preferably an inert gas, in a hot gas generator (26) to a predefined temperature; feeding the heated drying gas into a pulverizer (20); introducing raw coal into the pulverizer (20), the pulverizer (20) grinding the raw coal into pulverized coal; collecting a mixture of drying gas and pulverized coal from the pulverizer (20) and feeding the mixture to a filter (34), the filter (34) separating the dried pulverized coal from the drying gas; collecting the dried pulverized coal for further use and feeding the drying gas from the filter (34) to a recirculation line (38) for returning at least part of the drying gas to the hot gas generator (26); and determining an oxygen level in the drying gas, preferably in the recirculation line (38), and comparing the determined oxygen level to a predetermined oxygen level threshold.

Abstract: Method for producing pulverized coal, the method comprising the steps of heating a drying gas, preferably an inert gas, in a hot gas generator (26) to a predefined temperature; feeding the heated drying gas into a pulverizer (20); introducing raw coal into the pulverizer (20), the pulverizer (20) grinding the raw coal to pulverized coal; collecting a mixture of drying gas and pulverized coal from the pulverizer (20) and feeding the mixture to a filter (34), the filter (34) separating the dried pulverized coal from the drying gas; and collecting the dried pulverized coal for further use and feeding part of the drying gas from the filter to a recirculation line (38) for returning at least part of the drying gas to the hot gas generator (26).

Abstract: Sorbent compositions containing halogen and calcium are added to coal to mitigate the release of sulfur and/or other harmful elements, including mercury, into the environment during combustion of coal containing natural levels of mercury.

Abstract: A method of recovery of organic solvents required in the refining of coal comprising: mixing solvent, co-solvent and coal to form a slurry; thermally treating the slurry under pressure and high temperature to form a coal-extract; passing the coal-extract through a membrane under high pressure in an ultra filtration unit to achieve recovery of a major part of the solvent; contacting the remaining thick clarified liquid from the membrane with water to obtain precipitated coal in a slurry with a mixture of water and organic solvent; feeding the slurry to a filter to get clean coal of very low ash content as a residue and a mixture of water and organic solvent as a filtrate; distilling the filtrate to separate the balance of the organic solvent from the water. The application of a membrane for filtration minimizes the heat requirement to establish economy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conversion of biomass to biochar in subcritical water at 230-350° C. and 500-3000 psi. Under subcritical water conditions, biomass readily converts into biochar, biocrude, and some gases. In this invention, yield of biochar is significantly improved by recycling of biocrude. The process can produce hydrophobic biochar that has at least 70 wt % (dry basis) carbon as opposed to ˜25 wt % carbon in hydrophilic biomass, and has a heating value of about 29 MJ/kg (HHV-dry basis) which is comparable to good quality coals. More than 90% energy of biomass is retained in the biochar. The invention provides an effective means to convert biomass into a high energy density fuel for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Process for treating coal to enhance its rank, wherein the temperature of the material is gradually increased in a controlled set of atmospheres, to allow for the reduction of surface and inherent moisture and the controlled reduction of volatile matter while maintaining the coal's natural structural integrity. The process reduces the time, capitalization, and production costs required to produce coal of enhanced rank, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness and production rate over prior processes.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one impurity from coal is described herein. The method includes providing coal comprising a plurality of impurities and contacting the coal with an acid solution in a reaction chamber. At least one of the impurities reacts with the acid solution to produce one or more first products soluble in the acid solution. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the acid solution including at least a portion of the first products from the reaction chamber and adding a nitrate composition to the reaction chamber to form a nitrate solution. At least one of the impurities, at least one of the first products, or combinations thereof react with the nitrate composition to produce one or more second products soluble in the nitrate solution. The method still further includes removing at least a portion of the nitrate solution including at least a portion of the second products from the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing at least one impurity from coal is provided. The method comprises providing coal having a plurality of impurities and contacting the coal with a first leaching solution. The first leaching solution reacts with at least one of the impurities to produce one or more first products soluble in the first leaching solution. The method further comprises adding a neutralizing composition to the first leaching solution. The neutralizing composition reacts with the first leaching solution to form a precipitate. The method further comprises separating at least a portion of the first leaching solution from the coal and the precipitate and contacting the coal and the precipitate with a second leaching solution. The second leaching solution reacts with at least one of the impurities and the precipitate to form one or more second products and one or more third products, respectively, the second products and the third products being soluble in the second leaching solution.

Abstract: Process for treating coal to enhance its rank, wherein the temperature of the material is gradually increased in a controlled set of atmospheres, to allow for the reduction of surface and inherent moisture and the controlled reduction of volatile matter while maintaining the coal's natural structural integrity. The process reduces the time, capitalization, and production costs required to produce coal of enhanced rank, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness and production rate over prior processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved chemical change reagent which is used as an additive to coal to enhance the complete combustion of the coal after turning it into a synthetic fuel. The composition is a chemical change agent in that it converts the coal/composition mix into a different material which, when burned, results in lower NOx emissions. The composition includes a wax, a base for ph adjustment and water and is mixed with the coal prior to combustion.

Abstract: An improved organo-refining process to produce low ash clean coal from high ash coal, comprising: mixing coal, solvent and a co-solvent to produce a slurry; feeding the slurry to a reactor by pumping; extracting a coal-solvent mixture from the reactor; feeding the extracted mixture to a flasher unit; recovering about 30% of the solvent from the flashing unit; feeding the remaining heavy material to an evaporator; extracting about 60% of solvent from the evaporator; discharging the residue from the evaporator to a precipitator having water which produces a coal slurry; filtering the slurry in a rotary drum; collecting the super clean coal as a residue and feeding the filtrate into a distillation unit; and separating the water and the organic material in the filtrate to recover at least 7 to 8% of the remaining solvent.

Abstract: A hot solids process selectively operable for purposes of generating a predetermined output based on the nature of the specific application for which the predetermined output is being produced, and wherein such specific application is designed to be pre-selected from a group of specific applications that includes a new steam generator application, a retrofit steam generator application, a CO2 capture ready Hot Solids Combustion application, a CO2 capture ready hot solids gasification application, a CO2 capture hot solids combustion application, a CO2 capture hot solids gasification application, a partial CO2 capture hot solids combustion application, and a partial CO2 capture hot solids gasification application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for upgrading low-rank coal unsuitable for production of a reduced metal by a conventional carbon composite method to produce an upgraded coal suitable for the carbon composite method. The prevent invention also provides a method for producing a high-quality reduced metal using the upgraded coal as a carbonaceous material to be incorporated. In these methods, coal is first aged by heating in an organic solvent to produce upgraded coal for metallurgy having higher thermal plasticity than that of the coal. Then, a mixture of the upgraded coal for metallurgy and a metal oxide-containing raw material is agglomerated by an agglomerator, and the resultant agglomerates are reduced by heating in a moving hearth furnace and then melted by further heating to produce a reduced melt. The reduced melt is cooled and solidified in the moving hearth furnace to produce a reduced solid, and then the reduced solid is discharged to the outside of the furnace.