Abstract: A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: The coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter having a particle size less than about 10 ?m that are substantially free of inherent or entrained mineral matter. The particles of have an average particle size in the range from 1 ?m to 8 ?m. The particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter are milled to a size approximately the same as a size of coal-derived mineral matter inherent in the coal source to release inherent coal-derived mineral matter particles such that the particles of carbonaceous matter and the particles of mineral matter are discrete and separable solid particles. Following separation, less than 1.5 wt. % discrete coal-derived mineral matter particles are associated with the discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter. Particles of coal-derived solid hydrocarbon matter are blended with a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel feedstock.

Abstract: A gaseous combustible fuel includes a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock and solid fuel particles suspended in the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The hydrocarbon fuel feedstock may include natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, and gaseous derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The gaseous combustible fuel has an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is at least 25% greater than the volumetric energy density of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. Improvements in volumetric energy density of 50%, 100%, and even 500% are disclosed. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: Coal-derived mineral matter particles are an effective soil amendment. Coal-derived mineral matter particles added to soil increase the silt and clay fractions of the soil and improve the soil texture. The fine coal-derived mineral matter particles also increase mineral and essential nutrient availability for plant growth. Improved soil texture also increases water holding capacity and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. The mineral matter particles typically have a size less than 50 ?m and an average size of 10 ?m or less. In some non-limiting embodiments, the mineral matter particles mixed with the soil are present in the mixture in an amount ranging from 5 to 30 wt. %. The coal-derived mineral matter particles contain a plurality of essential nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth selected from B, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, P, K, S, and Zn.

Abstract: Coal-derived mineral matter is used to capture or remove combustion gas emissions from flue gas or exhaust gas. The coal-derived mineral matter may be obtained by separating it from coal particles, such as by use of a flotation separation process. Coal-derived mineral matter may also be present in fine coal refuse. In the method of removing combustion gas emissions from flue gas, an aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles is contacted with the combustion gas emissions for sufficient time to cause the combustion gas emissions to react with the aqueous suspension and form an enhanced aqueous suspension. The combustion gas emissions may comprise NOx, SOx, CO, or mixtures thereof. An aqueous suspension of coal-derived mineral matter particles containing enhanced amounts of soluble and insoluble sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, or carbonate reaction compounds formed by reaction of the aqueous suspension of the coal-derived mineral matter particles with combustion gas emissions.

Abstract: Fine coal particles are dewatered by mechanically removing water from the coal particles by vibration assisted vacuum dewatering to form a coal particle filter cake. The filter cake typically has a water content less than 35% by weight, suitable for extrusion to form discrete, non-tacky pellets. The vibration assisted vacuum dewatering may operate at a vibration frequency in the range from about 1 Hz to about 500 Hz. The vibration frequency may be adjusted during the dewatering process. In some embodiments, the vibration frequency is increased as the moisture content of the coal particle filter cake is decreased. Washing the filter cake during dewatering removes soluble contaminants. Various vibration assisted vacuum dewatering devices may be used, including a vibration assisted rotary vacuum dewatering drum, a vibration assisted vacuum disk filter, and a vibration assisted vacuum conveyor system.

Abstract: Coal-derived mineral matter particles are an effective soil amendment. Coal-derived mineral matter particles added to soil increase the silt and clay fractions of the soil and improve the soil texture. The fine coal-derived mineral matter particles also increase mineral and essential nutrient availability for plant growth. Improved soil texture also increases water holding capacity and cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil. The mineral matter particles typically have a size less than 50 ?m and an average size of 10 ?m or less. In some non-limiting embodiments, the mineral matter particles mixed with the soil are present in the mixture in an amount ranging from 5 to 30 wt. %. The coal-derived mineral matter particles contain a plurality of essential nutrients necessary for healthy plant growth selected from B, Ca, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, P, K, S, and Zn.

Abstract: Coal fines are processed by flotation separation to separate coal particles from ash-forming component particles. Coal fines are mixed water under high shear mixing conditions to form an aqueous slurry of coal fines containing between 15 wt. % and 55 wt. % coal fines. The aqueous slurry is introduced into a coal flotation cell to separate coal particles from ash-forming component particles by flotation separation, wherein the coal fines have a particle size less than 500 ?m, and more preferably less than 300 ?m. Bubbles are generated in the coal flotation cell having a bubble size and bubble quantity selected to float the coal particles and to form a coal-froth containing at least 15 wt. % solid particles. The solid particles include coal particles and ash-forming component particles. The coal-froth is collected for further processing.

Abstract: A cementitious composite product that can function as a substitute for stone and solid surface materials, such as granite, marble, and engineered stone is provided. Furthermore methods for manufacturing the cementitious composite product using an extrudable cementitious composition that can be extruded or otherwise shaped into stone-like building products that can be used as a substitute for many known stone products is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cementitious composite products can be manufactured more cheaply to be as tough or tougher and more durable than stone and solid surface materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composite including: (1) mixing an extrudable cementitious composition by first forming a fibrous mixture comprising fibers, water and a rheology modifying agent and then adding hydraulic cement; (2) extruding the extrudable cementitious composition into a green extrudate, wherein the green extrudate is characterized by being form-stable and retaining substantially a predefined cross-sectional shape; (3) removing a portion of the water by evaporation to reduce density and increase porosity; and (4) heating the green extrudate at a temperature from greater than 65° C. to less than 99° C. is disclosed. Such a process yields a cementitious composite that is suitable for use as a wood substitute. Particularly, by using higher curing temperatures for preparing the cementitious budding products, the building products have a lower bulk density and a higher flexural strength as compared to conventional products.

Abstract: Fine coal particles are dewatered by mechanically removing water from the coal particles by vibration assisted vacuum dewatering to form a coal particle filter cake. The filter cake typically has a water content less than 35% by weight, suitable for extrusion to form discrete, non-tacky pellets. The vibration assisted vacuum dewatering may operate at a vibration frequency in the range from about 1 Hz to about 500 Hz. The vibration frequency may be adjusted during the dewatering process. In some embodiments, the vibration frequency is increased as the moisture content of the coal particle filter cake is decreased. Washing the filter cake during dewatering removes soluble contaminants. Various vibration assisted vacuum dewatering devices may be used, including a vibration assisted rotary vacuum dewatering drum, a vibration assisted vacuum disk filter, and a vibration assisted vacuum conveyor system.

Abstract: A cementitious composite product that can function as a substitute for stone and solid surface materials, such as granite, marble, and engineered stone is provided. Furthermore methods for manufacturing the cementitious composite product using an extrudable cementitious composition that can be extruded or otherwise shaped into stone-like building products that can be used as a substitute for many known stone products is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cementitious composite products can be manufactured more cheaply to be as tough or tougher and more durable than stone and solid surface materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composite including: (1) mixing an extrudable cementitious composition by first forming a fibrous mixture comprising fibers, water and a rheology modifying agent and then adding hydraulic cement; (2) extruding the extrudable cementitious composition into a green extrudate, wherein the green extrudate is characterized by being form-stable and retaining substantially a predefined cross-sectional shape; (3) removing a portion of the water by evaporation to reduce density and increase porosity; and (4) heating the green extrudate at a temperature from greater than 65° C. to less than 99° C. is disclosed. Such a process yields a cementitious composite that is suitable for use as a wood substitute. Particularly, by using higher curing temperatures for preparing the cementitious building products, the building products have a lower bulk density and a higher flexural strength as compared to conventional products.

Abstract: A cementitious composite product that can function as a substitute for stone and solid surface materials, such as granite, marble, and engineered stone is provided. Furthermore methods for manufacturing the cementitious composite product using an extrudable cementitious composition that can be extruded or otherwise shaped into stone-like building products that can be used as a substitute for many known stone products is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cementitious composite products can be manufactured more cheaply to be as tough or tougher and more durable than stone and solid surface materials.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced and starch-based composition can be prepared by combining two fractions. The first fraction can include a gelatinized starch, water, and fibers, wherein the fibers are substantially homogenously mixed with the starch in an amount sufficient to structurally reinforce the mechanical characteristics of the starch-based composition. The second fraction is then combined with the first fraction, wherein the second fraction can include non-gelatinized starch, non-volatile plasticizer, and a water-resistant polymer. The composition is mixed so as to form a thermoplastic composition being capable of expanding when rapidly heated to above the boiling point of water and the softening point of the plasticized starch. Additionally, fiber-reinforced articles can be prepared from a method of processing the starch-based compositions. Such a method includes introducing the fiber-reinforced starch-based composition into a mold, and molding the composition into a fiber-reinforced article.

Abstract: A cementitious composite product that can function as a substitute for stone and solid surface materials, such as granite, marble, and engineered stone is provided. Furthermore methods for manufacturing the cementitious composite product using an extrudable cementitious composition that can be extruded or otherwise shaped into stone-like building products that can be used as a substitute for many known stone products is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cementitious composite products can be manufactured more cheaply to be as tough or tougher and more durable than stone and solid surface materials.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cementitious composite including: (1) mixing an extrudable cementitious composition by first forming a fibrous mixture comprising fibers, water and a rheology modifying agent and then adding hydraulic cement; (2) extruding the extrudable cementitious composition into a green extrudate, wherein the green extrudate is characterized by being form-stable and retaining substantially a predefined cross-sectional shape; (3) removing a portion of the water by evaporation to reduce density and increase porosity; and (4) heating the green extrudate at a temperature from greater than 65° C. to less than 99° C. is disclosed. Such a process yields a cementitious composite that is suitable for use as a wood substitute. Particularly, by using higher curing temperatures for preparing the cementitious building products, the building products have a lower bulk density and a higher flexural strength as compared to conventional products.

Abstract: Concrete compositions have a fine-to-coarse particulates ratio optimized for decreased viscosity and increased workability. The concrete compositions include at least water, cement, coarse aggregate, and fine aggregate and have a slump of at least 1 inch and a 28-day compressive strength of at least about 1500 psi. Workability is improved by minimizing the viscosity as a function of the particulates ratio. To improve workability, the concrete compositions include between 49-85% fine particulates (e.g., cement and fine aggregate) and between 15-51% coarse particulates as a percentage of overall particulates volume. For normal strength concrete (up to about 8500 psi, or 58.6 MPa), the fine particulates fraction comprises about 50-75% by volume of total particulates. For high strength concrete (>8500 psi, or 58.6 MPa), the fine particulates fraction comprises about 56-85% by volume of total particulates. Overall workability can be maintained or improved even if slump is decreased.

Abstract: A concrete composition having a 28-day design compressive strength of 3000 psi and a slump of about 5 inches is optimized to have high workability and a high strength to cement ratio. The concrete composition contains about 299 pounds per cubic yard hydraulic cement (e.g., Portland cement), about 90 pounds per cubic yard pozzolanic material (e.g., Type C fly ash), about 1697 pounds per cubic yard fine aggregate (e.g., FA-2 sand), about 1403 pounds per cubic yard coarse aggregate (e.g., CA-11 state rock, ¾ inch), about 269 pounds per cubic yard water (e.g., potable water), and about 1.4 fluid ounces of air entraining agent per cwt of hydraulic cement. Workability and strength to cement ratio were increased compared to one or more preexisting concrete compositions having the same 28-day design compressive strength and similar slump by optimizing the ratio of fine aggregate to coarse aggregate.

Abstract: A concrete composition having a 28-day design compressive strength of 3000 psi and a slump of about 5 inches is optimized to have high workability and a high strength to cement ratio. The concrete composition contains about 340 pounds per cubic yard hydraulic cement (e.g. Portland cement), about 102 pounds per cubic yard pozzolanic material (e.g., Type C fly ash), about 1757 pounds per cubic yard fine aggregate (e.g., FA-2 sand), about 1452 pounds per cubic yard coarse aggregate (e.g., CA-11 state rock, ¾ inch), and about 294 pounds per cubic yard water (e.g., potable water). Workability and strength to cement ratio were increased compared to one or more preexisting concrete compositions having the same 28-day design compressive strength and similar slump by optimizing the ratio of fine aggregate to coarse aggregate. The concrete composition is further characterized by high cohesiveness, resulting in relatively little or no segregation or bleeding.