Abstract: An integrated, continuous (or batch) process for the beneficiation and/or liquefaction of coal, especially low rank coals, is provided, the process generally involving admixing coal with an organic liquid medium under high shear agitation, further beneficiating the coal by admixing the same in an aqueous medium optionally containing a monomer and a polymerization catalyst therefor and subjecting the resultant coal product to further high shear agitation in the presence of certain organic liquid media to provide a liquefied coal extract product and a further solid coal product. Beneficiated solid and liquefied coal products are also provided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, having particular utility for the beneficiation of coal by the flotation separation of coal particles from impurities associated therewith, such as ash and sulfur. In this arrangement, an improved open flow, spiral nozzle is positioned above a flotation tank having a bath therein, and sprays an input slurry through an aeration zone into the surface of the water. The spraying operation creates a froth on the water surface in which a substantial quantity of particulate matter floats, while other components of the slurry sink into the water bath. A skimming arrangement skims the froth from the water surface as a cleaned or beneficiated product.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, having particular utility for the beneficiation of coal by the flotation separation of coal particles from impurities associated therewith, such as ash and sulfur. In this arrangement, a forward product stream is formed in which a mixture of the particulate matter slurry and the chemical reagents is sprayed through a nozzle at a first relatively low pressure onto the surface of water in a forward stream flotation tank to create a floating froth phase containing therein a first quantity of the particulate matter. The remainder of the particulate matter slurry separates from the froth phase by sinking in the water, and the froth phase is separated as a first product.

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of oxidized coal, said process comprising subjecting coal having oxidized surfaces to high shear agitation in water followed by desliming the resultant aqueous coal mixture.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, having particular utility for the beneficiation of coal by the flotation separation of coal particles from impurities associated therewith such as ash and sulfur. In this arrangement, a forward product stream is formed in which a first quantity of chemical reagents is mixed with the particulate matter slurry. The treated particulate matter slurry is then sprayed through a nozzle onto the surface of water in a forward stream flotation tank to create a floating froth phase containing therein a first quantity of the particulate matter. The remainder of the particulate matter slurry separates from the froth phase by sinking in the water, and the froth phase is separated as a first product. The remainder of the particulate matter slurry is then directed to a scavenger product stream in which an additional quantity of chemical reagents is mixed with the remainder of the separated particulate matter slurry.

Abstract: Process for the beneficiation and recovery of low rank coals comprising subjecting pulverized low rank coal to surface treatment by admixing said coal with an aqueous mixture comprised of a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization catalyst and a coal derived oil; and the beneficiated low ash, low sulfur containing product resulting therefrom.

Abstract: An improved process for the beneficiation of coal and the separation of impurities therefrom comprising subjecting coal to surface treatment by contact with an aqueous medium comprising polymerizable monomer, polymerization catalyst and liquid organic carrier, thereby rendering said coal hydrophobic and oleophilic, the improvement comprising the high shear intermixing of the surface treated coal with at least one water wash medium thereby providing for the removal of further hydrophilic impurities, such as mineral ash from the coal. Apparatus for carrying out the process and the products prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: Mine run coal is pulverized and the extended surfaces of the coal particles are rendered hydrophobic and oilophilic by a chemical bonding and graft polymerization reaction with a water unsoluble organic polymerizable monomer under peroxidation influence in a predominantly water reaction medium.The mineral ash present in the coal and particularly the iron pyrites remains hydrophilic and is separated from the polymeric organic surface bonded coal product in a water washing step wherein the washed coal floats on and is recovered from the water phase and the ash is removed with the separated wash water in a critical wash step.Excess water is removed from the beneficiated hydrophobic surface-altered coal product mechanically. The hydrophobic and oilophilic organic polymeric surface bonded coating about the coal particles is fortified by inclusion of additional unbound free fatty acids by further small additions thereof.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, having particular utility for the beneficiation of coal by the flotation separation of coal particles from impurities associated therewith, such as ash and sulfur. In this arrangement, an improved open flow, spiral nozzle is positioned above a flotation tank having a bath therein, and sprays an input slurry through an aeration zone into the surface of the water. The spraying operation creates a froth on the water surface in which a substantial quantity of particulate matter floats, while other components of the slurry sink into the water bath. A skimming arrangement skims the froth from the water surface as a cleaned or beneficiated product.

Abstract: An improved process for the beneficiation of coal and the separation of impurities therefrom comprising subjecting coal to surface treatment by contact with an aqueous medium comprising polymerizable monomer, polymerization catalyst and liquid organic carrier, thereby rendering said coal hydrophobic and oleophilic, the improvement comprising the high shear intermixing of the surface treated coal with at least one water wash medium thereby providing for the removal of further hydrophilic impurities, such as mineral ash from the coal. Apparatus for carrying out the process and the products prepared therefrom are also provided.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for froth flotation separation of the components of a slurry, having particular utility for the beneficiation of coal by the flotation separation of coal particles from impurities associated therewith such as ash and sulfur. In this arrangement, a spray nozzle is positioned above a flotation tank having a water bath therein, and sprays an input slurry through an aeration zone into the surface of the water. The spraying operation creates a froth on the water surface in which a substantial quantity of particulate matter is floating, while other components of the slurry sink into the water bath. A skimming arrangement skims the froth from the water surface as a cleaned or beneficiated product.

Abstract: Mine run coal is pulverized and the extended surfaces of the coal particles are rendered hydrophobic and oilophilic by a chemical bonding and graft polymerization reaction with a water insoluble organic polymerizable monomer under peroxidation influence in a predominantly water reaction medium.The mineral ash present in the coal and particularly the iron pyrites remains hydrophilic and is separated from the polymeric organic surface bonded coal product in a water washing step wherein the washed coal floats on and is recovered from the water phase and the ash is removed with the separated wash water in a critical wash step.Excess water is removed from the beneficiated hydrophobic surface-altered coal product mechanically. The hydrophobic and oilophilic organic polymeric surface bonded coating about the coal particles is fortified by inclusion of additional unbound free fatty acids by further small additions thereof.