Abstract: A solid firelighter is provided, which comprises a carboxylic acid and/or an alkyl ester derivative thereof and a curable resin. The firelighter specifically comprise methyl, ethyl, propyl, or buthanoyl esters of a C6-C10 carboxylic acid or mixtures thereof in an amount of at least 20% by weight. Moreover, a method of manufacturing said firelighter is provided, as well as compositions for use in the manufacture of said firelighter.

Abstract: Provided is a method of economically modifying low rank coal (LRC) to be high grade coal having minimized water re-absorption and minimized spontaneous ignition possibility while saving energy by coating heavy oil directly on coal without using solvent oil. Provides is a method of modifying coal using palm oil residue, including milling the coal, homogenously mixing the palm oil residue with the milled coal, melting the palm oil residue mixed with the coal so as to be coated on a surface of the coal, and simultaneously drying moisture in the coal, cooling the dried coal, and briquetting the cooled coal.

Abstract: A system for treating biomass for the production of a composition of lignin pellets .is disclosed. Pellets comprising at least 50 percent lignin by dry weight is disclosed. Also disclosed are pellets produced from a lignin composition by a process comprising: pre-treating lignocellulosic biomass into pre-treated biomass; separating the pre-treated biomass into a first liquid component comprising sugars and a first solids component comprising cellulose and the lignin composition; hydrolysing the first solids component of the pre-treated biomass into a hydrolysed biomass comprising sugars and the lignin composition; separating the hydrolysed biomass into a second liquid component comprising sugars and a second solids component comprising the lignin composition; supplying the second solids component comprising the lignin composition to a pelleting apparatus to produce the pellets; wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin.

Abstract: Disclosed are eco-friendly and low-price solid fuel, which is naturally dried, and a method of manufacturing the same. Disposable diapers or disposable sanitary pads, which are failed during the manufacturing process, are used to produce industrial alternative fuel having a low price through a predetermined process, so solid fuel having no pollution problem in combustion is provided. The solid fuel is mainly made of synthetic resin-pulp scrap including synthetic resin integrated with pulp like the disposable diapers or the disposable sanitary pads. The method includes introducing a scrap, such as the wasted disposable diaper or the wasted disposable sanitary pad, including synthetic resin integrated with pulp into a crusher to break the scrap into fragments, adding a slight amount of waste cooking oil serving as a binding agent to the fragments, performing an extrusion-molding with respect to the fragments, cutting the extrusion-molded fragments to make pallets, and then drying pallets.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a system and method for briquetting solid fuel before or after treatment with electromagnetic energy. In the system and method, solid fuel is transported through a continuous feed solid fuel treatment facility, treated using electromagnetic energy, and briquetted after treatment.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing solid fuel, including estimating a heat value for at least a portion of a combustible waste stream. At least one type of combustible polymer is added to the combustible waste stream as needed to raise the estimated heat value of the portion of combustible waste stream to a desired heat value. The combustible waste stream is heated and mixed with the at least one type of combustible polymer to increase the structural integrity of a solid fuel formed from the mixed combustible waste stream and to increase the hydrophobic properties of the solid fuel. The heated and mixed combustible waste stream is pressed into objects of solid fuel, such as briquettes, which are substantially hydrophobic.

Abstract: A solid firelighter is provided, which comprises a carboxylic acid and/or an alkyl ester derivative thereof and a curable resin. The firelighter specifically comprise methyl, ethyl, propyl, or buthanoyl esters of a C6-C10 carboxylic acid or mixtures thereof in an amount of at least 20% by weight. Moreover, a method of manufacturing said firelighter is provided, as well as compositions for use in the manufacture of said firelighter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets.

Abstract: Disclosed are eco-friendly and low-price solid fuel, which is naturally dried, and a method of manufacturing the same. Disposable diapers or disposable sanitary pads, which are failed during the manufacturing process, are used to produce industrial alternative fuel having a low price through a predetermined process, so solid fuel having no pollution problem in combustion is provided. The solid fuel is mainly made of synthetic resin-pulp scrap including synthetic resin integrated with pulp like the disposable diapers or the disposable sanitary pads. The method includes introducing a scrap, such as the wasted disposable diaper or the wasted disposable sanitary pad, including synthetic resin integrated with pulp into a crusher to break the scrap into fragments, adding a slight amount of waste cooking oil serving as a binding agent to the fragments, performing an extrusion-molding with respect to the fragments, cutting the extrusion-molded fragments to make pallets, and then drying pallets.

Abstract: An artificial firelog of the invention includes as constituents (a) a combustible cellulosic material and (b) a combustible non-petroleum wax, wherein the relative proportions of the constituents are, by weight, from about 30% to about 70% of (a) and from about 30% to about 70% of (b) for 100 parts of (a) and (b). In one form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include one or more combustible materials derived from plant oils, vegetable oils, animal oils, fats, rosin, pitch, waxy materials and combinations thereof. In another form of the invention, the combustible non-petroleum wax constituent may include a formulated blend of individual non-petroleum wax components. In yet another form of the invention a combustible binding agent can be added to the blend of materials resulting in reduction of the portion of the more costly combustible wax component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing fuel briquettes from high moisture fine coal. The apparatus includes a coal fine pelletizer, a pellet dryer and a fuel briquette former all provided in-line for the efficient production of fuel briquettes. The method comprises forming pellets from coal fines, drying those pellets to a desired moisture content of about 1 to about 10% and forming fuel briquettes from the dried pellets.

Abstract: A method for forming compressed matter structures suitable as a fuel source comprising producing a glycerine-rich binding agent by a method comprising (i) providing a feedstock, (ii) mixing the feedstock with an alcohol and a catalyst to form a reaction product, (iii) obtaining a glycerine-rich phase from the reaction product; providing a carbon-containing material; adding an effective amount of the glycerine-rich phase to the carbon-containing material to form a mixture; and forming compressed material from the mixture. Also provided is a compressed structure produced by the method.

Abstract: Provided are methods for binding particulate solids in a polymer fiber matrix utilizing composite waste products. A mixture of composite waste products and particulate solids is formed into solid products to create degradation resistant solid units which capture the particulate solids.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method of heat treating a solid fuel briquette may include heating the solid fuel briquette using energy from at least one of a heat furnace or an electromagnetic energy system of a solid fuel treatment facility as the solid fuel briquette is moved through the treatment facility to a specified internal temperature, and sealing the heat-treated solid fuel briquette in a vessel for a duration of time.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic fuel by treating fines of bituminous coal with an emulsion of a tall-oil mix, which may include enhancers that either increase the chemical change in the coal or reduce the cost of the synthetic fuel. Enhancers include poly vinyl acetate (PVA) and/or ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), glycol, lignosulfonate, beet sugar bottoms, corn bottoms, brewery bottoms, vegetable tall oil, vegetable oil, and/or spent frying oil. The emulsion is sprayed into, and reacted with, the coal fines, resulting in a cost effective and industry-usable source of synthetic fuel.

Abstract: A method for agglomerating fine particles, involves reacting urea, urea/formaldehyde condensate, a strong inorganic acid, preferably sulfuric acid, and at least one polyfunctional compound chosen from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and polyols (containing at least two hydroxy groups) in the presence of particles to be agglomerated to form a fine particle agglomerate. Optionally, molasses, p-toluene sulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid or resorcinol can be added to the binder solution.

Abstract: An improved pelletized fuel consisting essentially of from about 70% to about 98% coal fines and from about 2% to about 30% waste thermoplastic polymeric material (plastic) and a method of producing the improved pelletized fines are disclosed. The plastic is shredded or granulated before mixing with the coal fines, and the mixture is heated to a temperature to soften or melt at least a major portion of the plastic. The heated mixture is then shaped by applying a pressure of at least about 600 PSI and pressing the mixture through a pelletizing or extrusion die, or shaping the mixture in a briquetting operation.

Abstract: A coal agglomerate is produced by the combination of coal fines with a binder obtained by the direct liquefaction of biomass material. The direct liquefaction is carried out in the absence of oxygen at typical temperatures between about 450 and 700.degree. F. and typical pressures between 200 and 3,000 psi, according to known liquefaction processes. The liquefied bio-binder base is mixed with additives, if desired, such as fast pyrolysis tars and petroleum asphalt, in order to modify its characteristics to meet specific needs of particular applications, and the resulting mixture is sprayed on coal fines preheated to at least 250.degree. F. and allowed to react at about 300-400.degree. F. Combustible extenders and fillers; reinforcing fibers; and cross-linking agents may be mixed with the coal prior to combination with the binder to provide additional specific properties to the mixture. The resulting well mixed mass is then pelletized by the application of pressure in conventional equipment.