Patents Assigned to Vitrinite Services, LLC
  • Patent number: 9759486
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: VITRINITE SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Bland, C. Bruce McDaniel, Austin McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9004284
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vitrinite Services, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Bland, Bruce McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20140196304
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for reducing moisture in mineral slurries, particularly mineral slurries containing minerals of small particle diameter, using a granular drying material. The invention also relates to novel mineral products and intermediates useful in connection with the process. The method and system reduced moisture by contacting the mineral slurry with the granular drying material. The granular drying material is selected to be readily separated from the dried minerals using a size separation technique such as a sieve screen. The granular drying material is the regenerated, preferably using a process involving heat exchange and cross-flow air. The granular drying material is preferably capable of regeneration and recycling in a continuous process with minimal attrition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Vitrinite Services, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. BLAND, Bruce MCDANIEL
  • Publication number: 20140190036
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for drying coal using activated alumina. The method and system dries the coal by combining coal with the activated alumina. While in combination, the mixture is agitated to maximize surface contact between the activated alumina and the coal. As the coal contact the activated alumina, the surfactant moisture on the coal is then absorbed by the activated alumina. The activated alumina allow for the water molecules to pass into the sieves, thus being removed from the coal. After a period of agitation, the method and system thereby separates the activated alumina and the coal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Vitrinite Services, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. BLAND, Bruce MCDANIEL