Abstract: The present invention concerns a process of selective precipitation for the purpose of recovering rare earth elements from acidic media derived from coal and coal byproducts via two main steps of sequential precipitation and selective precipitation. An intermediary step of re-precipitation can be included to further increase RRE concentrations, as well as improve contaminant metal removal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the removal of inorganic components such as potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, phosphorus and heavy metals, from biomass of rural or forest or urban origin or even mixture of different origin biomasses, from low quality coals such as peat, lignite and sub-bituminous/bituminous coals, from urban/industrial origin residues/wastes, which are possible to include as much organic—>5% weight—as inorganic—<95% weight—charge and from sewage treatment plant sludges. The desired goal is achieved with the physicochemical treatment of the raw material. The method can also include the thermal treatment, which can precede or follow the physicochemical one. The application of the thermal treatment depends on the nature and the particular characteristics of each raw material as well as on the feasibility analysis of the whole process in order to determine the optimization point in each case.

Abstract: A process for treating mixtures of solid coal and fly ash containing metallic oxides, silicon dioxide and sulfur compounds in order to produce treated coal and substantially pure silicon dioxide comprising (1) reacting a mixture of the coal and fly ash with hydrogen fluoride in water to produce a liquid stream comprising silicon fluoride and metal fluorides and a solids stream comprising unreacted coal and sulfur compounds; (2) reacting the sulfur compounds with metallic nitrates dissolved in water to form an aqueous solution of nitrate, metallic and sulfur ions; (3) separating the aqueous solution of nitrate, sulfur and metallic ions from the solid coal; (4) washing the previously treated solid coal with water; (5) reacting the silicon fluorides and metal fluorides with metallic nitrates in an aqueous mixture to form solid silicon dioxide; and separating the solid silicon dioxide from the aqueous mixture.

Abstract: A process for reducing the pyritic sulphur content of coal includes reacting the coal with a ferric ion solution to oxidise the pyritic sulphur to elemental sulphur, and separating the coal, which includes elemental sulphur from the ferric ion solution. The coal and the elemental sulphur are then reacted in an acidic solution with nitric acid to oxidize the elemental sulphur, forming sulphuric acid. The coal is separated from the acidic sulphuric acid containing solution to provide coal with a reduced pyritic sulphur content.

Abstract: A method for the removal of sulfur from sulfur-bearing materials such as coal and petroleum products using organophosphine and organophosphite compounds is provided.

Abstract: A method for the removal of sulfur from sulfur-bearing materials such as coal and petroleum products using organophosphine and organophosphite compounds is provided.

Abstract: The inorganic and organic desulfurization of solid carbonaceous material at elevated temperatures is increased significantly in the presence of copper. The copper serves as a scavenger for the hydrogen sulfide formed to insure a low hydrogen sulfide concentration for the inorganic desulfurization. In addition, in the presence of ethanol or hydrogen, the organic desulfurization of solid carbonaceous material is improved dramatically by the catalytic influence of the copper on the ethanol dehydrogenization and of the copper sulfide formed on the hydrodesulfurization reactions.

Abstract: A process for upgrading bitumen asphaltenes obtained from tar sands to hydrocarbons which comprises contacting the bitumen with a deasphalting solvent to yield a deasphalted oil and a residual solid asphaltene, separating the residual solid asphaltene from the deasphalted oil and treating the solid asphaltene fraction with superheated water containing a soluble carbonate salt at temperatures of from 300.degree. to 425.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for upgrading bitumen asphaltenes obtained from tar sands to hydrocarbons which comprises contacting the bitumen with a deasphalting solvent to yield a deasphalted oil and a residual solid asphaltene, separating the residual solid asphaltene from the deasphalted oil and treating the solid asphaltene fraction with superheated water at temperatures of from 300.degree. to 425.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for reducing the sulfur content of coal containing pyritic and organic sulfur comprising: contacting the coal with less than the molar stoichiometric amount of at least one +5 vanadium component and at least one reducible manganese component at selected conditions effective to oxidize at least a portion of the sulfur in the coal; reducing the sulfur content of the oxidized sulfur-containing coal; and recovering a coal product having a reduced sulfur content.In another embodiment, the process involves the use of certain plant derived ortho-quinone containing components, in particular, certain lignin and/or tannin derived components containing ortho-quinone functionality, to oxidize at least a portion of at least one of the pyritic and organic sulfur materials in the coal.Preferred compositions comprise at least one ligno sulfonate component containing ortho-quinone functionality.

Abstract: In the present invention, iron sulfate is added in the form of an aqueous wash solution to coal agglomerates after separation of ash from the agglomerated coal. As the agglomerates remain in a continuous water phase, a good dispersion of the iron sulfate solution throughout the agglomerate matrix occurs. At this stage an unexpectedly strong adsorption of Fe ions onto the coal surfaces occurs without any adverse effects on agglomerate integrity and the ability to separate it selectively by floatation. Furthermore, this good dispersion also results in over 94% of the iron sulfate in the wash solution being transferred to the agglomerates. This manner of addition of iron sulphate to coal has been shown to elevate advantageously the lowest temperature at which coke formation occurs during coprocessing.

Abstract: A desulfurization process for coal ore for the removal of both organic and inorganic (pyritic) sulfurs in coal ore comprises a series of steps including the pulverizing of coal ore; mixing coal particulates with separation reagents, a catalyst and a vehicle; separating the recyclable chemicals and abstracted sulfurs through a select membrane; conditioning the particulates for flotation and sedimentation; clarifying the settleable ash and inorganic sulfurs and the floatable coal from the vehicle; and dewatering the collected coal particulates. The process also provides for regeneration of the catalyst.

Abstract: Contaminants, such as sulphur, sulphur compounds and other pollutants are removed from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel in a liquid medium, such as crude oil or a coal slurry, is exposed to metallic copper to react the sulphur with copper ions and settle out the resulting copper sulphide. Additional additives are also disclosed.

Abstract: Contaminants, such as sulphur, sulphur compounds and other pollutants are removed from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel in a liquid medium, such as crude oil or a coal slurry, is exposed to metallic copper to react the sulphur with copper ions and settle out the resulting copper sulphide. Additional additives are also disclosed.