Abstract: In a process for upgrading an aqueous slurry of fine coal by agglomerating coal particles and separating the agglomerates from the slurry the proportioning of the amount of binder used to agglomerate the coal can be substantially optimized by correlating it with the amount of non-agglomerated particles which remain in the slurry, and the ratio of the value of the upgraded coal to the coal of the binder.

Abstract: A relatively dry coal product can be prepared from aqueous slurries of respectively fine and granular coal particles by agitating the fine particles with water and binder to form mechanically separable agglomerates and, before separating them from most or all of the liquid in which they were formed, mixing those agglomerates with the relatively large coal particles in a specified proportion, and then mechanically dewatering the mixture.

Abstract: A slurry of coal particles is dewatered by agglomerating the coal particles using a hydrocarbon binder at an elevated temperature to obtain coal pellets which are then heat treated. Gases released by the pellets during heat treatment may be heat exchanged with the slurry or burned to produce heat for the heat treatment, steam for the heat treatment, or to provide mechanical energy for the agglomeration.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a two-stage agglomeration process for coal fines in the form of a pumpable slurry. The slurry is selectively agglomerated in the first stage by the addition of a hydrocarbon binder and the bulk of the water separated from the resulting agglomerates. Improved agglomerates are obtained in the second stage where those from the first stage are resubmitted to turbulent motion in hot water, which is drained from the agglomerates and recirculated thus reducing energy requirements.

Abstract: Coal particles suspended in water are agglomerated with a binder and the agglomerates are separated from the water and disintegrated in a liquid fuel.

Abstract: A method for processing a slurry of coal particles in water by dividing the slurry into a coarse fraction including at least substantially the coarser coal particles and a fine fraction including at least substantially the finer coal particles, reducing the water content of the coarse fraction, and separately stabilizing the fine fraction by addition of coal particles alone or coal particles suspended in water or oil, or by reduction of the water content of the fine fraction.

Abstract: Coal particles suspended in water are agglomerated with a binder and the agglomerates are separated from the water and disintegrated in a liquid. Coarse coal particles are removed, ground, and returned for agglomeration.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the preparation of a stable coal/water slurry by particulating the coal; classifying the coal into two parts on the basis of specific gravity; discarding the ash-rich residue; classifying the lesser specific gravity part of the coal from the preceding classification into two parts; classifying the lesser specific gravity part of the coal from the preceding classification into three parts and grinding the heaviest part to the most fine particles, the next-to-heaviest part to less fine particles, and the lightest part to least fine particles; grinding the coal from the next-to-last classification finer than the heaviest part of the coal of the preceding classification; and combining the coal of the preceding two classifications with water to form a slurry.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solid load of coal from an aqueous slurry of coal particles by dividing the slurry into a first fraction containing relatively small particles and a second fraction containing relatively large particles, agglomerating the particles in the first fraction under turbulent conditions with a binder and separating the thus-obtained agglomerates from the water phase and mixing the agglomerates with the second fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the beneficiation of solid fuel, in which a heat treatment at elevated pressure is applied to an aqueous suspension of the solid fuel in a finely divided form in the presence of an additive which, under the prevailing conditions, causes water-insoluble sulphur compounds to be converted into soluble compounds, after which fuel and water are separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for separating coal particles in a coal/water slurry from water of the slurry by separating the larger coal particles with a relatively small quantity of water from the smaller coal particles with a relatively large quantity of water and then agglomerating the smaller coal particles and separating the agglomerates from the water.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a wet load of coal with a bulk density of at least 700 kg/m.sup.3 by preparing briquettes containing less than 10% wt water from an aqueous slurry of coal fines, such as from a pipeline, and mixing the briquettes with wet coal fines or extrudates or agglomerates thereof containing up to 30% wt water. The briquettes can be prepared by dewatering the slurry, extrudating the obtained paste and briquetting the extrudates; or by agglomerating the coal fines, for example with naphtha, and briquetting the agglomerates, for example by removal of naphtha.

Abstract: An inlet piece for a pipeline for the transport of a viscous liquid surrounded by an annular layer of a liquid with a lower viscosity, which liquids are entirely or substantially insoluble with respect to each other, composed of a first chamber, provided with at least one inlet and with an exit for the viscous liquid, a second chamber, provided with at least one inlet for the liquid with a lower viscosity and with an annular outlet for that liquid which is so positioned as to surround the exit for the viscous liquid, and a rotation-symmetrical connecting piece for the connection to the pipeline; and a process for the transport of those liquids through a pipeline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the upgrading of solid material containing bound water and free or chemically bound carbon, in particular brown coal, which process involves a heat treatment at a temperature of at least 150.degree. C and at a pressure that is higher than the vapor pressure of water at that temperature.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a wet load of coal with a bulk density of at least 700 kg/m.sup.3 by preparing briquettes containing less than 110% wt water from an aqueous slurry of coal fines, such as from a pipeline and mixing the briquettes with wet coal fines or extrudates or agglomerates thereof containing up to 30% wt water. The briquettes can be prepared by dewatering the slurry, extrudating the obtained paste and briquetting the extrudates; or by agglomerating the coal fines, for example with naphtha, and briquetting the agglomerates, for example by removal of naphtha.