Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a product from a precursor material. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing a particulate material and a binder to form a precursor material and (b) irradiating that precursor material with microwave radiation so as to activate the binder and form the product.

Abstract: A system and method are described for torrefaction of particulate biomass. The system comprises a reactor having mass flow characteristics, containing particulate biomass, and further is equipped with a heated gas input; a gas discharge output; a particulate solids inlet; and a particulate solids discharge.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a fuel gasification system includes optimizing a conversion of solid components in the fuel to gaseous fuel components, controlling the flux of solids entrained in the product gas through equipment downstream of the gasifier, and maximizing the overall efficiencies of processes utilizing gasification. A combination of models, when utilized together, can be integrated with existing plant control systems and operating procedures and employed to develop new control systems and operating procedures. Such an approach is further applicable to gasification systems that utilize both dry feed and slurry feed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a process for the preparation of fuel pellets, said process comprising the steps of a) subjecting a feedstock (e.g. a biomass material) to a torrefaction and partial pyrolysis step at a temperature in the range from 250° C. to 500° C., whereby a solid char and volatile fraction are obtained, said volatile fraction comprising a tar fraction; b) at least partially condensing the volatile fraction so as to obtain a tar-rich fraction, wherein the tar-rich fraction is condensed onto the solid char; and pelletization of the combined solid char/tar-rich fraction so as to obtain said fuel pellets. Novel fuel pellets are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for converting biomass into highly inert carbon. Specifically, some embodiments densify the carbon into anthracite-style carbon aggregations and store it in geologically stable underground deposits. The use of certain embodiments yield a net effect of removing atmospheric carbon via the process of photosynthesis and converting it into hard coal, which can be stored in underground beds that mimic existing coal deposits which are known to be stable for thousands of years.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the production of low ash fuel using calcined petroleum coke by crushing and screening of calcined petroleum coke below 3 mm size, mixing the crushed and screened materials to achieve a bulk density in the range of 760 to 800 kg/m3, mixing 10-100% of the resultant calcined petroleum coke with 0 to 50% coke breeze, pre-soaking the mix so obtained with 5-10% water, mixing with hinder followed by kneading in presence of live stream, then briquetting and curing of the raw briquettes in a furnace in a controlled oxidising atmoshpere to obtain the low ash fuel.

Abstract: A process of making coal fines into a commercially viable fuel product using tall oil and tall oil pitch emulsions. The tall oil based emulsions are sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.

Abstract: A method for producing formed bodies from carbonaceous substances in which the starting materials are dry particles of synthetic graphite at least as fine as 20 mesh and dry particles of coal tar pitch at least as fine as 200 mesh. The synthetic graphite particles are intimately mixed with the coal tar pitch particles to form a mixture having about 4% to about 10% coal tar pitch and preferably about 6% to about 7% coal tar pitch. At least a portion of the mixture is then compressed under pressure sufficient to raise the temperature of the mixture to at least the softening point of the coal tar pitch. Pressure is maintained on the mixture for the period of time necessary to form a compact carbonaceous body having a volume at least equal to that of a sphere of 1/8 inch in diameter.

Abstract: A coal substitute product and process for producing it from by-products formed in the production of acetylene from natural gas is disclosed. The first by-product is an aqueous slurry of soot which is mixed with the second by-product, an acetylene polymer. After mixing the material is filtered to produce a filter cake which is processed into chunks similar to coal in appearance, handling qualities and burning characteristics. Alternatively another carbonaceous tarry substance such as an asphaltenes or acryloid polymer waste can be substituted for the acetylene polymer.

Abstract: A finely-divided carbonaceous material is dewatered and reconstituted in a combined process by adding a binding agent directly into slurry of finely divided material and dewatering the material to form a cake or consolidated piece which can be hardened by drying at ambient or elevated temperatures. Alternatively, the binder often in the form of a crusting agent is sprayed onto the surface of a moist cake prior to curing.