Abstract: A selectively-sized, raw, low-rank coal is processed to produce a low ash and relative water-free agglomerate with an enhanced heating value and a hardness sufficient to produce a non-decrepitating, shippable fuel. The low-rank coal is treated, under high shear conditions, in the first stage to cause ash reduction and subsequent surface modification which is necessary to facilitate agglomerate formation. In the second stage the treated low-rank coal is contacted with bridging and binding oils under low shear conditions to produce agglomerates of selected size. The bridging and binding oils may be coal or petroleum derived. The process incorporates a thermal deoiling step whereby the bridging oil may be completely or partially recovered from the agglomerate; whereas, partial recovery of the bridging oil functions to leave as an agglomerate binder, the heavy constituents of the bridging oil. The recovered oil is suitable for recycling to the agglomeration step or can serve as a value-added product.

Abstract: A method of improving control of atmospheric emission of particulate matter from the emission stack of coal combustion facilities which employ baghouse particle controllers is disclosed. The method involves injecting upstream of the baghouse a small but conditioning effective amount of ammonia gas and sulfur trioxide in sequence. When this is done, the pressure drop across the baghouse is less and the amount of particulate matter in the smoke stack emissions is reduced by significant amounts.

Abstract: An open-split interface includes a connector body having four leg members projecting therefrom within a single plane, the first and third legs being coaxial and the second and fourth legs being coaxial. A tubular aperture extends through the first and third legs and a second tubular aperture extends through the second and fourth legs, connecting at a juncture within the center of the connector body. A fifth leg projects from the connector body and has a third tubular aperture extending therethrough to the juncture of the first and second tubular apertures. A capillary column extends from a gas chromatograph into the third leg with its end adjacent the juncture. A flow restrictor tube extends from a mass spectrometer through the first tubular aperture in the first and third legs and into the capillary columnm end, so as to project beyond the end of the third leg within the capillary column. An annular gap between the tube and column allows excess effluent to pass to the juncture.

Abstract: A method and means for producing mineral wool from coal slag is described wherein molten coal slag is transferred from a coal slag tank in an electrical generation plant. The molten coal slag is transferred to a fiberization apparatus and is heated during the transfer process to maintain the coal slag in a molten state. In the fiberization apparatus, the molten coal slag is subjected to compressed air streams which creates mineral wool fibers which are collected in a collection apparatus.

Abstract: An injector for use with a capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) apparatus includes an operable four-port switching valve having a body portion and a rotor rotatably mounted within the body portion. The rotor has a hole therethrough which will selectively register with pairs of aligned ports. Thus, the rotor is rotatable between a loading position, wherein a first and third port are in communication, and a chromatographic position, wherein a second and fourth port are in communication. A first tubular member extends from the third port and is connected to a retention gap, which is in turn connected to an end of a capillary SFC column. A bypass tube connects the fourth port to the first tubular member. The loading position of the rotor and the first tubular member form a straight pathway to permit a needle to be inserted therethrough into the retention gap to inject a sample.