Abstract: Thermally shock-resistant chemically bonded agglomerates suitable for use as a combustible fuel or in a gasification process are produced by:(a) mixing particulate organic material comprising particulate carbonaceous fuel and/or animal excrement (such as dewatered comminuted sewage sludge) with a lignosulfonate, in the presence of water, with application of heat sufficient to maintain the lignosulfonate in fluid form, so as to deposit a film of lignosulfonate over the surface of the particulate material;(b) oxidatively conditioning the lignosulfonate coated particulate material under conditions permitting escape of water present in the mixed particulate material, the conditioning either being in the presence of calcium ions or being followed by mixing the conditioned particulate material with lime; and(c) shaping the resulting free-flowing plastic mixture under pressure, to form the thermally shock-resistant agglomerates.

Abstract: Thermally shock stable bonded solid materials are formed by mixing a solid mineral or inorganic material in an aqueous medium with a lignosulfonate, treating the aqueous medium with a metal ion- based complexing agent (such as lime), with application of heat sufficient to maintain the lignosulfonate in fluid form, so as to produce an intimate mix of saturated slaked lime with lignosulfonate and the mineral or inorganic material, and thoroughly mixing the resulting substantially dry material with dry urea (or a derivative thereof) so as to cause the mix to agglomerate, preferably followed by shaping the agglomerates by briquetting or the like.

Abstract: Green briquettes made from particulate carbonaceous material and lignosulfonate as a binder are cured in an oven in the presence of circulating gases containing a high percentage of oxygen and superheated steam. The sulfur derived from the binder is oxidized and then hydrolyzed (exothermic reactions) at the curing temperature with formation of sulfuric acid, which is dissociated (endothermic reaction) in the case of a temperature rise. The reactions provide a means for thermal balance within the curing oven.