Abstract: Carbonaceous coal particles, essentially free of pyritic sulphur, are removed from an aqueous coal slurry in two steps. In the first step the carbonaceous particles of the slurry, with the pyritic sulphur essentially free of surface conditioning agent, are micro-agglomerated with agglomerating oil added in an amount varying from about 0.5 wt % (dry basis), when the coal particle average size is about 100 microns, to about 10 wt % (dry basis) when the average coal particle size is about 4 microns to remove relatively coarser particles of pyritic sulphur. Then, without adding any further agglomerating oil, relatively finer pyritic sulphur particles trapped with water in the micro-agglomerates are removed.

Abstract: In a method of agglomerating carbonaceous coal comprising first agglomerating impurity liberated carbonaceous coal, from an impurity liberated coal slurry, with agglomerating oil to form open structured, chain-like, micro-agglomerates and then forming relatively larger, less open structured more robust agglomerates from a portion of the slurry to provide a mixture of micro-agglomerates, relatively larger, more robust agglomerates, water and any inorganic impurities that may be present. The relatively larger, more robust agglomerates are screened and then the micro-agglomerates are separated using an aerating, skimmer tank leaving an inorganic impurity laden waste water. The micro-agglomerates are rendered buoyant by the aeration and are thus rendered separable from the inorganic laden waste water which may be further treated to remove the inorganic waste to provide water for recirculation.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle assembly is provided having an outwardly diverging frustrum of a cone shaped, deflector core of wear resistant ceramic, a nozzle rim of wear resistant ceramic encircling the core and coextensive with a downstream portion thereof to form a mixing zone therewith for receiving liquid-to-be-atomized therein from an unobstructed passage and atomizing fluid directing the liquid-to-be-atomized away from the core. The mixing zone leads to a nozzle orifice outlet. The core is mounted in a core holder and is adjustable by a screw thread, in close proximity to the mixing zone, to adjust the width of the mixing zone. The liquid-to-be-atomized (e.g. a coal slurry fuel) and the atomizing fluid (e.g. air) are fed along coaxial tubes which are slidably mounted by glands to accommodate differential expansions.

Abstract: Persistent chemisorption bonds of clay solids in clay-containing heavy oil and water emulsions, from oil sands, heavy oil or conventional oil wells, are broken down by mixing the emulsion with an aqueous mixture of coal particles so that the mixture has a suspension density in the range 1 to 50 weight % solids. The coal particles have a particle size in the range 5 to 100 .mu.m so that occluded hydrophilic, inorganic solids are separable from a substantial portion of the hydrophobic, carbonaceous substances of the coal. The mixing of the emulsion with the aqueous suspension of coal particles is continued until agglomerates are formed comprising essentially carbonaceous components of the coal and the heavy oil thereby breaking down the chemisorption bonds by interdependantly dissociating carbonaceous components of the coal and heavy oil from the clay solids and other hydrophilic, inorganic solids and water from the coal and heavy oil.

Abstract: An aqueous phase continuous, fuel slurry is claimed, and its method of production from agglomerates consisting essentially of carbonaceous particles, agglomerating oil and residual water. The slurry may be formed by thoroughly mixing with agglomerates an agglomerate dispersing and coal/oil/water system interfacial tension reducing agent with the agglomerates so that the agglomerates are broken down and an aqueous phase continuous fuel slurry is formed containing residual, oil produced flocs from the agglomerates and having an oil content of the fuel slurry no greater than 10 weight % of the solids content of the fuel slurry. The solids content of the fuel slurry is in the range of the order of 50 weight % and of the order of 80 weight % of the total weight of the fuel slurry, and is preferably in the range of the order of 65 weight % to of the order of 70 weight %.

Abstract: A wear resistant atomizing nozzle assembly is provided having an outwardly diverging, frustum of a cone-shaped deflector core of wear resistant ceramic and a nozzle rim of wear resistant ceramic and having an outwardly flared inner surface encircling the core to form a flared, atomizing nozzle orifice therewith. The core is mounted in a flared socket of a deflector core holder and inner and outer sleeves feed, say, atomizing air to the deflector core surface and, say, a coal liquid mixture fuel inwardly around the nozzle rim so that the fuel is held by the air as a film against the nozzle rim inner surface and then atomized as it emerges from the nozzle rim.

Abstract: A process for selectively removing hydrophilic constituents from flowable hydrophobic mixtures and suspensions which comprises forming a tenacious paste by mixing water with finely divided material which is insoluble or substantially insoluble in water and in the organic liquid in the hydrophobic mixture or suspension, which is inert to the organic liquid and the hydrophobic materials in the hydrophobic mixture or suspension and which is capable of selectively adsorbing said hydrophilic constituents. The paste is formed in a mixing-type liquid-liquid contactor so that a layer of the paste forms on and clings to the impellers and other internal surfaces of the contactor.

Abstract: The sulfide surfaces of finely-divided impure iron sulfide-containing minerals such as pyritic ores or coals are rendered hydrophilic by the adsorption of conditioned, inorganic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. This adsorption of conditioned bacteria occurs in a short time to render the surfaces hydrophilic and allows these altered sulfide particles to be separated from hydrophobic solids by flotation, oil-agglomeration or the like. This bioadsorption process has particular applicability to pyritic coal beneficiation.

Abstract: A high proportion of the inorganic materials, (ash) content is removed from coal by providing the coal as a suspension with a liquid hydrocarbon oil, mixing an aqueous agglomerating liquid comprising water with the suspension, mixing a particulate material having a hydrophilic surface that is readily wetted by liquid water with the suspension, agitating the suspension to agglomerate the ash, and then separating the ash from the remainder. The particulate material having a hydrophilic surface may be ash, agglomerated silica flour, coarse silica chips, limestone or peat moss, and a binder for the ash may be dispersed or dissolved in the aqueous agglomerating liquid. In some instances the coal may be initially in the form of an aqueous suspension, and the coal can either be agglomerated from the suspendant by using a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon oil and then adding the remainder, or filtered therefrom and then the filter cake mixed with the liquid hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: Ball agglomerated particulate material is produced by comminuting the material to produce coarse particles having a size predominantly within the range 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm, and fines, then feeding the coarse particles, fines and an agglomerating liquid into a rotating ball agglomerating mill with the volume fraction of the coarse particles being 20% to 80% by volume of the total solids feed to the mill, continuing rotation of the mill until agglomerated balls are produced having a continuous network of fines interspersed with the coarse particles such that: ##EQU1## WHERE .epsilon. = THE POROSITY OF THE AGGLOMERATES,.epsilon..sub.o = the porosity of similar agglomerates formed entirely of the fines, m is the above mentioned volume fraction of coarse particles, andK = 0.7 to 1.0,And removing the agglomerates thus formed from the ball agglomerating mill.