Abstract: A method of stimulating seedling growth which comprises applying a coal-derived oxidation product to the medium in which the seedling is growing. The product is in the form of a solution or a slurry having a pH in the range of 2 to 12 and has the following elemental and functional group analysis (on an air-dried basis):______________________________________ ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS Element Range (%) ______________________________________ Carbon 30-70 Hydrogen 2-6 Nitrogen 0.1-5 Sulphur 0.1-10 Oxygen 15-45 ______________________________________ FUNCTIONAL GROUP ANALYSIS Functional Group Range (meq/g) ______________________________________ Total acidity 3-13 Carboxylic groups 0.5-12 Phenolic groups 0.

Abstract: The soil aggregate stability of a soil, particularly a crusting or compacting soil, is improved by the addition of a coal-derived product which is a humic acid gel, a humic acid salt gel, a humic acid salt which is capable of forming a gel in water or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the class of coal-derived fulvic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier, useful as a bactericidal or bacteriostatic agent. The carrier is preferably water.

Abstract: A composition for use in applying an alkaline earth metal element to an acidic sub soil. The composition includes the element in the form of a water-soluble salt or complex with fulvic acid in an aqueous medium. The fulvic acid is preferably a coal-derived fulvic acid.

Abstract: A method of solubilizing organic material in a coal includes the steps of contacting the coal with a medium comprising an organic solvent and a strong base or phenoxide reactively associated with the solvent. The solvent may be an aprotic dipolar solvent such as N-methyl pyrrolidone. The strong base may be sodium or potassium hydroxide.

Abstract: A method of recovering humic acids from a material such as oxidised coal is provided. This method includes the steps of mixing the material with aqueous alkali, particularly aqueous sodium hydroxide, heating the mixture to a temperature above 100.degree. C. and below 180.degree. C. under sufficient pressure to prevent evaporation of the water, and maintaining the elevated temperature for a time, generally less than 2 hours, sufficient to extract a substantial amount of the available humic acids from the material.

Abstract: A composition which has bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic properties which comprises humic acid or a salt or a derivative thereof as active ingredient in a suitable carrier. The active ingredient is preferably an alkali metal salt of humic acid and the carrier is preferably water.

Abstract: Oxidized coal is used to remove dissolved or suspended matter from aqueous mediums. It is particularly effective in removing metal ions dissolved in aqueous mediums and/or bacteria from aqueous mediums.

Abstract: The invention provides a circulating fluidized bed apparatus comprising a housing and a pair of spaced partitions located within the interior of the housing. The partitions are spaced from each other to define a draught zone therebetween having a lower inlet and an upper outlet. Separate fluid feed arrangements are provided for feeding separate fluidizing fluids into the housing for fluidizing particulate material in the draught zone and for fluidizing particulate material outside the draught zone. Above the draught zone the housing has a fluid outlet arrangement for fluidizing fluid from the draught zone, and a fluid outlet arrangement for fluidizing fluid from the housing outside the draught zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of a solid oxidized coal containing humic acids. Coal with a mean particle size of less than 3 mm is slurried with water and then oxidized with oxygen or mixtures of oxygen and air at temperatures ranging from 100.degree. to 300.degree. C., at partial oxygen pressures ranging from 0,1 to 10 MPa and reaction periods ranging from 5 to 600 minutes. In the absence of catalysts, e.g. alkaline bases, the main product of oxidation is humic acids. These humic acids are not dissolved because the pH of this slurry is in the range 4 to 9. Small amount of fulvic acids are formed and these are soluble in the water of the slurry.The coal-derived humic acids may for example find application as soil conditioners, organic fertilisers, briquette and pellet binders, drilling fluid dispersants and viscosity control agents, while the coal-derived fulvic acids may be utilized for the production of fuel extenders, plasticizers and petrochemicals.