Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to reduce dusting in bulk materials, such as coal. The method includes mixing with the bulk material either a fraction of the bulk material having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the remainder of the bulk material or a heterologous charge control agent having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the bulk material. The attractive forces between the opposite electrostatic charges agglomerate dust particles to larger particles that quickly settle to control dusting. Also disclosed are materials produced by the methods described above.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into successively smaller particle size fractions, with the largest fraction placed into a confined area. The next smaller size fraction is then added until the largest sized fraction begins to dilate. The next successive smaller size fraction is added until the mixture beams to dilate, with the process being continued until the smallest size fraction is used. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods to reduce dusting in bulk materials, such as coal. The method includes mixing with the bulk material either a fraction of the bulk material having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the remainder of the bulk material or a heterologous charge control agent having an electrostatic charge opposite that of the bulk material. The attractive forces between the opposite electrostatic charges agglomerate dust particles to larger particles that quickly settle to control dusting. Also disclosed are materials produced by the methods described above.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of controlling the bulk density, permeability, moisture retention and thermal properties of bulk materials are provided by selectively sizing the bulk material. Preferably, the bulk material is sized into a bi-modal size distribution to control these properties. Methods of decreasing the density of bulk materials are also provided. In one embodiment the bulk material is separated into a first fraction and a second fraction, the second fraction being smaller than the first. Subsequently, the second fraction is separated into a third fraction and a fourth fraction, the fourth fraction being smaller than the third. The third fraction is then comminuted to be the same size as the fourth fraction, at which point the first, third, and fourth fractions are finally mixed to produce a densified bulk material.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed to reduce the oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes sizing a bulk material so that it has a porosity of 40% or less. This relatively low porosity reduces the surface area of the bulk material available to the ambient environment for oxidation. The method of sizing the bulk material may be combined with the step of contacting the bulk material with an inert gas or a heat transfer medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce oxidative deterioration of bulk materials. Preferred embodiments of bulk materials include solid fuel materials, such as coal, and bulk food products. The method includes contacting a bulk material with a heat transfer medium to reduce the temperature of the bulk material below ambient temperature, and preferably below about 10.degree. C. In this manner, the rate of oxidation is sufficiently low so that significant losses, such as the loss of thermal values in of fuel material, are avoided. The heat transfer medium can be solid or fluid and in a preferred embodiment is liquid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: This invention comprises a wet oxidation process utilizing copper (II) oxide as the sole oxygen source. In particular the destruction and detoxification by oxidation of toxic materials such as cyanide, hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, and dioxins contained in typically aqueous streams by using copper (II) oxide is contemplated. The preferred embodiment involves adding the copper (II) oxide to the feed stream containing the toxic materials and reacting the stream under elevated pressure and elevated temperature conditions to substantially oxidize the toxic materials to less toxic or innocuous compounds. The oxidation process can be accomplished in a vertical tube reactor system, wherein the necessary pressure for the wet oxidation is achieved by hydrostatic head pressure inherent in the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enriching the iron carbonyl content of a recycle gas stream produced in an iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process to enable reuse of the recycle gas stream in the iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process by cooling the recycle gas stream, adding carbon monoxide to the recycle gas stream, compressing the recycle gas stream to a pressure of about 20 to about 38 atmospheres under conditions suitable to prevent substantial decomposition of residual iron carbonyl, and contacting the compressed gas stream at a temperature of about 65.degree. to about 160.degree. C. with a reduced iron containing material in the presence of hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable to produce substantially condensed iron carbonyl.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enriching the iron carbonyl content of a recycle gas stream produced in an iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process to enable reuse of the recycle gas stream in the iron carbonyl decomposition or reaction process by cooling the recycle gas stream, adding carbon monoxide to the recycle gas stream, compressing the recycle gas stream to a pressure of about 20 to about 38 atmospheres under conditions suitable to prevent substantial decomposition of residual iron carbonyl, and contacting the compressed gas stream at a temperature of about 65 to about 160.degree. C. with a reduced iron containing material in the presence of hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable to produce substantially condensed iron carbonyl.