Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for steam dewatering of brown coal, using a plurality of autoclaves, each of which, in cyclic sequence among the autoclaves, repeats a batch process comprised of an atmospheric pressure stage to unload the coal dewatered and to load the coal to be dewatered, a heating stage to heat and dewater the loaded coal and a depressurizing stage to lower the interior pressure for the unloading of coal, wherein the heating stage comprises first and second steaming steps successive in this order at the final period of this stage to be supplied with fresh steam from an external source, and an initial steaming step under which the autoclave is connected with the other autoclave undergoing the second heating step, thereby intensifying the steam ventilation at the second heating step.

Abstract: A high moisture porous organic solid is dewatered by the steps of (1) heating the high moisture porous organic solid in a fluid medium having an elevated temperature and a high pressure, thereby reducing the moisture of the solid, (2) starting to compress the porous structure of the solid by mechanical means, while maintaining the temperature and the pressure of the surrounding fluid medium the same as in the final stage of step (1), and (3) lowering the pressure of the surrounding fluid medium while maintaining the mechanical compression of the solid, whereby the quality of the porous solid, such as apparent density and calorific values of moist solid per weight as well as per volume are considerably improved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for dehydrating organic porous material such as brown coal. The process comprises steps of charging the material to a plurality of pressure vessels and filling at least one of the pressure vessels with water, carrying out a dehydration step by supplying steam to the vessel which is filled with water to heat the material therein while exhausting water from that vessel to thereby lower the water surface in the vessel so that the material therein is gradually exposed to the steam and water in the material is removed and mixed with condensed steam to form hot water, transferring the hot water from said first vessel to a substantially top portion of a second vessel while continuously supplying the steam to the first vessel until the second vessel is substantially filled with the hot water, and then expelling the hot water from a substantially bottom portion of the second vessel by the hot water which is transferred from the first vessel to the second vessel.

Abstract: Process for dehydrating water-containing organic solid material which comprises steps of introducing the material into a pressure vessel, applying saturated steam to said vessel to heat the material so that water in the material is removed and mixed with condensate of the steam to be exhausted from the vessel as a waste water. The waste water is transferred to another pressure vessel in which the material is not charged yet, the material being then charged into the vessel to carry out the same dehydrating steps. According to the process, a sufficient amount of heat exchange is performed between the material and the waste water so as to recover the heat in the waste water. Further, the waste water functions as a cushion for the material which is being thrown into the vessel so that the material can be protected from being pulverized.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating water-containing organic solid material which comprises steps of introducing the material into a pressure vessel, applying saturated steam to said vessel to heat the material so that water in the material be removed and mixed with condensate of the steam to be exhausted from the vessel as a waste water. The process is characterized by a step of charging material of relatively large particle size at a bottom portion of the vessel and of relatively small particle size on the material of large particle size. The process makes it possible to dehydrate relatively fine particles of material by utilizing liquid form dehydration phenomemon.

Abstract: An economical method for liquefying low rank coal is proposed.

Abstract: Method of processing low rank coals which comprises steps of classifying crushed low rank coals into middle sized lumps and minute particles, subjecting the middle sized lumps to a non-evaporating dehydration treatment to produce low moisture content coals, separating ash content from the minute particles and then at least partly liquefying the minute particles to produce liquefied oil, and mixing the liquefied oil with the low moisture content coals to thereby produce low moisture coal-oil slurry. The method makes it possible to utilize even small sized particles of coal in a practical manner.

Abstract: In a non-evaporating dehydration of brown coal, the coal is crushed and classified into lumps and fine particles. The lumps of coal are subjected to a non-evaporating dehydration in which waste water is produced. The waste water is contacted with the fine particles of coal so that components which affect the COD value of the water are absorbed by the coal particles. The coal particles are then burnt to produce saturated steam which is used in the non-evaporating dehydration.