Water (e.g., Drying, Etc.) Patents (Class 44/626)
  • Patent number: 7820058
    Abstract: A new method of improving the process of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic with its water contact angle considerably below 90°. A low hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number surfactant is then added to the slurry, so that the surfactant molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface primarily by hydrophobic attraction and, thereby, increase its contact angle close to or above 90°. By virtue of the greatly enhanced hydrophobicity, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and removed more readily by a mechanical dewatering process. Any nonionic surfactant with its HLB number below about 15 may be used for the hydrophobicity enhancement. The surfactants may be used in conjunction with appropriate solvents such as light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mineral and Coal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roe Hoan Yoon
  • Publication number: 20100263269
    Abstract: A process for drying coal is provided in which coal is passed into a fluidized bed reactor and heated to a predetermined temperature. The dried coal is then fed to a cooler where the temperature of the product is reduced to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit and water is added to further passivate the coal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: River Basin Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Dunlop, Clinton B. Camper, Vijay Sethi, Leon C. Kenyon, JR.
  • Patent number: 7766985
    Abstract: In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. at a heating rate of not less than 100° C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250° C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50° C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70° C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kiyomichi Taoda
  • Publication number: 20100088952
    Abstract: A reactor system comprising two or more subterranean reactors for high pressure treatment of materials. The reactors each comprise an inlet tube, a reaction region and an outlet tube and are deep enough for material in the inlet and outlet tubes to produce significant hydrostatic pressure. The reactors are adapted to exchange heat which may occur through a shared heat transferring wall or a heat exchanger including circulating liquid. The invention also extends to a method of simultaneously running two processes in the reactor system. The preferred processes are hydrothermal dewatering of coal, especially brown coal, and coal liquefaction wherein exothermic heat product of one process contributes to the heating requirements of the other process. The invention also extends to a method of hydrothermal dewatering of coal when conducted in a subterranean reactor in conditions of decreasing pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Donald James NICKLIN, Peter James Tait
  • Patent number: 7695535
    Abstract: Thus, a novel process for producing a passivated coal material has been disclosed, comprising the steps of (a) drying a coal material by heating said coal material in the presence of a first gas comprised of less than about five volume percent of oxygen until said coal material has a moisture content of from above about 1 to about 20 weight percent, thereby producing a partially dried coal material, wherein said coal material is selected from the group consisting of lignitic coal, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, coal char, and mixtures thereof; (b) heating said partially dried coal material to a temperature of from about 100 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, thereby producing a heated partially dried coal material; (c) charging said heated partially dried coal material to a fluidized bed reactor; (d) feeding a second gas with an oxygen content of from about 6 to about 15 volume percent into said fluidized bed reactor; (e) contacting said heated partially dried coal material with said second gas while mai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: River Basin Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Dunlop
  • Publication number: 20100077658
    Abstract: (Problems) Providing a method and an apparatus for producing a solid fuel, capable of suppressing increase in dust coal concentration in circulating oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Sugita, Tetsuya Deguchi, Takuo Shigehisa
  • Patent number: 7666235
    Abstract: A method for drying coal using microwave energy to achieve a controlled aggregate moisture content target range without starting combustion or degrading the coking qualities of the coal. Coal feed stock is first separated into fine grade coal and one or more larger grades. The fine grade coal is loaded onto a conveyor as a bed of fixed depth. The fine grade coal is conveyed continuously through a microwave-energized heating chamber for drying. The fine grade coal is dried sufficiently so that when it is combined with the larger grade coals, the moisture content of the aggregate is within a target moisture content range. By volumetrically and uniformly heating the coal, the microwave heating chamber boils away the water without heating the coal itself above about 90° C. In this way, the coal does not combust or oxidize, and its coking qualities are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Microwave Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Trevor Robert Learey, J. Michael Drozd
  • Publication number: 20100037516
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Evergreen Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hogsett, Philippus J. Meyer, Michael F. Ray, Michael L. Schlegel, Sheldon L. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100005710
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are apparatuses for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are systems for upgrading carbonaceous materials. Also disclosed are upgraded carbonaceous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: PIPAL ENERGY RESOURCES, LLC
    Inventor: David B. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20090255173
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process and an apparatus for producing a low-pyrophoricity, transportable, storable dewatered solid fuel from a low rank coal, in which the amount of heavy oil added can be reduced. A solid fuel production process includes the steps of mixing an oil containing a solvent oil with a coal to prepare a raw material slurry; evaporating moisture from the raw material slurry; subsequently performing solid-liquid separation on the slurry to yield a solid fuel; and adding a heavy oil to the slurry after the completion of or in the course of evaporating moisture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Satoru Sugita, Tetsuya Deguchi, Takuo Shigehisa
  • Publication number: 20090178332
    Abstract: In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. at a heating rate of not less than 100° C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250° C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50° C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70° C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kiyomichi Taoda
  • Publication number: 20090158610
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating low rank coal having a processor with transverse baffles. Coal is introduced into the top of the processor and passes through the processor by gravity. Heated relatively inert gas is introduced into the processor and flows through the coal, heating the coal and removing moisture from the coal. The temperature of the heated process gas, the size of the coal, the size of the inlet and outlet openings of the processor and the rate of flow of the coal are selected for optimum efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Harry E. Bonner, Roger B. Malmquist, Ray W. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 7537622
    Abstract: A multistage process for drying coal in which coal is passed into a first fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of 300 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, air is fed into the first reactor in order to maintain the density of the fluidized bed at from 20 to 50 pounds per cubic foot, and from about 40 to about 60 percent of the water from the coal is removed from the coal and the first reactor. The partially dried coal is then fed to a second fluidized bed reactor which is maintained at a temperature at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit higher than that present in the first reactor, and substantially all of the water remaining in the coal is removed from the coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: FMI Newcoal, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Dunlop, Leon C. Kenyon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7537700
    Abstract: A method and a system for removing water from high water content solid such as high water content coal, which enables dewatering with small energy consumption. A liquefied material which is a gas at 25° C. under 1 atm. (hereinafter referred to as material D) is contacted with a solid containing water to allow the liquefied material D to dissolve the water contained in the solid, and to produce a liquefied material D having a high water content and simultaneously remove the water from the solid, and by vaporizing the material D in the liquefied material having a high water content, to thereby separate the water from the resulting gaseous material D, recovering the separated gaseous material D, and liquefying the recovered gaseous material by pressurizing, cooling or a combination thereof, to reuse the resulting liquefied material for removing water from a solid containing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Hideki Kanda, Hiromi Shirai
  • Patent number: 7524341
    Abstract: In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. at a heating rate of not less than 100° C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250° C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50° C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70° C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kiyomichi Taoda
  • Patent number: 7431744
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid fuel includes the steps of partially or completely separating finely powdered coal from pulverized low-rank coal; mixing the separated low-rank coal with a mixed oil containing a heavy oil and a solvent oil to produce an untreated slurry; heating the untreated slurry to dehydrate the low-rank coal and filling the pores of the low-rank coal with the mixed oil; and separating the solid fuel from the heated slurry by solid-liquid separation. The manufacturing method further includes the step of adding the finely powdered coal separated from the low-rank coal to the solid fuel produced by the solid-liquid separation of the heated slurry. The finely powdered coal separated from the low-rank coal has an average particle size of 0.5 mm or less. An apparatus for the manufacturing method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Sugita, Tetsuya Deguchi, Takuo Shigehisa, Shinichi Katsushima
  • Patent number: 7383766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coal dewatering system, method and apparatus. The dewatering system includes a preheater vessel (82) having a chamber (101) for heating coal, an inlet (84) to permit the passage of coal into the chamber (101), and an outlet (86) for permitting the passage of coal from the chamber (101). The dewatering vessel also includes a heating mechanism (98) associated with the preheater vessel (82) to heat coal contained in the chamber (101) and a non-return valve (92) to substantially prevent heated coal removed from the preheater chamber (101) via the outlet (86) from re-entering the preheater vessel (82) via the outlet (86). The dewatering system further includes a dewatering unit (60) adapted to receive the heated coal from the outlet (86) via the non-return valve (92) and to thereby dewater the coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: MTE Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Malcolm John McIntosh, Danh Quan Huynh
  • Patent number: 7271201
    Abstract: A method and a system for drying a biomass, wet pulverized coal or combinations thereof, using heat from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a heat exchanger to heat a nitrogen gas, using a flue gas in a heater to heat the heated nitrogen gas to a higher temperature, passing the twice heated nitrogen gas through apparatus to pulverize the fuel source of coal, biomass or both, forming a gas/particulate stream, filtering the gas/particulate stream in a filter to remove dried fuel feed stocks and using a blower to form a first steam and nitrogen mixture for discharge, and a second steam and nitrogen mixture for mixing with additional dry nitrogen gas for introduction to the first step of the method, at the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Syntroleum Corporation
    Inventors: James Francis Leahy, Robert L. Freerks
  • Publication number: 20070175088
    Abstract: Biodiesel is formed by blending an with a hydrocarbon fuel, preferably #2 diesel, gasoline, or kerosene. Water in the mixture, and other impurities, are removed by adding a coalescing aid such as naphtha, xylene or naphthalene and passing the mixture through a series of filters including a coalescing filter. Optional components that can be added to the fuel include cetane additives, lubricants such as trimethylbenzene and ethylene, as well as performance enhancers such as acetone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: William Robert Selkirk
  • Patent number: 7198655
    Abstract: Carbonaceous materials are thermally upgraded in a pressurized steam environment to remove moisture and other byproducts. A variety of water/solid separation devices may be employed in a process vessel to maximize moisture removal from the upgraded charge. Heating media inlet nozzles and process chamber vents are strategically positioned at the process vessel wall to minimize short circuiting of heating media to vessel outlet vents and to continuously separate hot water removed from the charge and condensed steam, such that the upgraded material removed from the process vessel is not discharged with accompanying free moisture. After upgrading, the charge may be rehydrated to improve its stability during shipping and storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Evergreen Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Hogsett, Philippus J. Meyer, Michael F. Ray, Michael L. Schlegel, Sheldon L. Schultz
  • Patent number: 7189327
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the recovery of useful coal or potassium chloride from screenbowl centrifuge separation operations comprising adding to the screenbowl centrifuge, from about 0.005 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge to about 0.70 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge, of an anionic copolymer, wherein said anionic copolymer is selected from the group comprising copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid and the known salts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Dimas, Kenneth M. McGough
  • Patent number: 7087174
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the recovery of useful coal or potassium chloride or borax from screenbowl centrifuge separation operations comprising adding to the screenbowl centrifuge, from about 0.03 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge to about 0.70 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge, of a cationic terpolymer, wherein said cationic terpolymer is prepared by polymerizing from about 1 to about 99.1 mole percent of one or more cationic monomers, from about 0.1 to about 10 mole percent of one or more hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates and from one to about 98.1 mole percent of one or more nonionic monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Peter A. Dimas, Kenneth M. McGough, Wesley L. Whipple
  • Patent number: 6878174
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a thermally beneficiated carbonaceous material is disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying a charge of the carbonaceous material at an elevated temperature to a process vessel to form a packed bed and cooling the carbonaceous material to a target temperature by indirect heat exchange. The method is characterised by supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the packed bed to partially oxidise the carbonaceous material to a required degree to stabilize the carbonaceous material prior to the carbonaceous material reaching the target temperature. The method is also characterised by removing heat from the packed bed that is produced by oxidation of carbonaceous material to control the temperature of the carbonaceous material during oxidation to avoid thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: K-Fuel L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Stewart Conochie
  • Patent number: 6855260
    Abstract: A new method of improving the process of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic with its water contact angle considerably below 90°. A low hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number surfactant is then added to the slurry, so that the surfactant molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface primarily by hydrophobic attraction and, thereby, increase its contact angle close to or above 90°. By virtue of the greatly enhanced hydrophobicity, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and removed more readily by a mechanical dewatering process. Any nonionic surfactant with its HLB number below about 15 may be used for the hydrophobicity enhancement. The surfactants may be used in conjunction with appropriate solvents such as light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Roe-Hoan Yoon
  • Patent number: 6846339
    Abstract: A process for upgrading brown coal is disclosed, including providing at least two converging surfaces defining a nip, wherein at least one of the surfaces is rollable in a direction toward the nip; feeding the brown coal to the nip where, by the rolling action of the rollable surface, the brown coal is subjected to shearing stresses, causing attritioning of the microporous structure of the brown coal and the release of water contained in the micropores; and continuing the shearing attritioning until the brown coal forms into a plastic mass. Processes for the production of char are also disclosed utilizing as feed material pellets formed from the upgraded brown coal produced by the above process, as well as a process for recovering metal from a metal containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Edge Holdings Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Roderick Howard Carnegie, John Kenneth Hamilton, Alan Stuart Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20040144019
    Abstract: A reactor system comprising two or more subterranean reactors for high pressure treatment of materials. The reactors each comprise an inlet tube, a reaction region and an out let tube and are deep enough for material in the inlet and outlet tubes to produce signifecant hydrostatic pressure. The reactors are adapted to exchange heat which may occur through a shared heat transferring wall or a heat exchanger including circulating liquid. The invention also extends to a method of simultaneously running two processes in the reactor system. The preferred processes are hydrothermal dewatering of coal, especially brown coal, and coal liquefaction wherein exothermic heat product of one process contributes to the heating requirements of the other process. The invention also extends to a method of hydrothermal dewatering of coal when conducted in a subterranean reactor in conditions of decreasing pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Donald James Nicklin, Peter James Tait
  • Patent number: 6767465
    Abstract: A process for recovering fine coals and clarifying water for recycling features with three distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic extraction, electrolyte coagulation, and macromolecular flocculation, which if desired may be integrated into a single stage. The hydrophobic extraction is accomplished using oil to form a coal-in-oil mixture. The process water is clarified using a flocculants, more preferably a combination of coagulant and anionic flocculants. With a well defined reagent addition scheme, this process allows a combustible recovery greater than 88% at an ash content less than 11%, while producing a clean water containing less than 20 ppm suspended solids from a tailing's stream. The coal-in-oil mixture may be used as a fuel for example in coal-firing boilers and power generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Govenors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Jaewon Choung, Jozef Szymanski, Zhenghe Xu
  • Patent number: 6599434
    Abstract: A process and system for recovering fine coal having a size at or below 400 mesh. The process and system includes a series of cyclone separators, a vibrating screen, a centrifuge and a flow path to clean, recover and dewater fine coal having a nominal size of 3 mm down to 400 mesh or below. The process and system includes the use of commercially available components arranged in a novel manner to efficiently recover fine coal for use in various energy supplying systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Norman B. Mullins
  • Patent number: 6544425
    Abstract: A method of dewatering a mixture of coal tailings, water and contaminants comprising the steps of (a) providing a tank having a base surface and introducing said mixture of coal, tailings, water, and contaminants to said tank and allowing said coal tailings to settle on said base surface, (b) removing the coal tailings from said base surface of said tank along with water and contaminants and then separating said water and at least some of said contaminants from said coal tailings wherein said separated contaminants are suspended in said separated water, (c) adding an agent selected from one or more of the group consisting of a coagulant and a flocculent to said water and suspended contaminants separated from the coal tailings in step (b), (d) allowing the agent added in step (c) to coagulate or flocculate with the suspended contaminants to form a coagulated or flocculated mass and a quantity of supernatant water, and (e) separating the coagulated or flocculated mass formed in step (d) from the quantity of sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Slurry Cleanup Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Olen O. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030009931
    Abstract: Process for treating coal to enhance its rank, wherein the temperature of the material is gradually increased in a controlled set of atmospheres, to allow for the reduction of surface and inherent moisture and the controlled reduction of volatile matter while maintaining the coal's natural structural integrity. The process reduces the time, capitalization, and production costs required to produce coal of enhanced rank, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness and production rate over prior processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Saudi Americal Minerals Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Hunt
  • Patent number: 6506224
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for upgrading a solid material is disclosed. The method comprises heating the solid material to an elevated temperature to remove water and thereafter cooling the upgraded solid material. The method includes providing a plurality of vessels containing packed beds of the solid material and one or more than one heat exchange circuit for heating and cooling the solid material in the packed beds in the vessels by heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid. The method is controlled so that the solid material in a first group of the vessels is at one or more stages of a heating cycle and the solid material in a second group of vessels is at one or more stages of a cooling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: K-Fuel L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Stewart Conochie
  • Patent number: 6447559
    Abstract: Process for treating coal to enhance its rank, wherein the temperature of the material is gradually increased in a controlled set of atmospheres, to allow for the reduction of surface and inherent moisture and the controlled reduction of volatile matter while maintaining the coal's natural structural integrity. The process reduces the time, capitalization, and production costs required to produce coal of enhanced rank, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness and production rate over prior processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Saudi American Minerals Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Hunt
  • Publication number: 20020104258
    Abstract: In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150° C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500° C. at a heating rate of not less than 100° C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250° C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50° C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70° C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kiyomichi Taoda
  • Patent number: 6375853
    Abstract: Naturally occurring lipids of vegetable and animal origin are broken into smaller molecules, and used as dewatering aids. The process of breaking the molecules include transesterification, interesterification, and saponification followed by acidulation. The modified lipid molecules can adsorb on the surface of the particles to be dewatered and greatly enhance their hydrophobicity, which will help increase the rate of dewatering and hence reduce cake moisture. The modified lipids are more effective dewatering aids than the naturally occurring unmodified lipids, possibly because they can more readily form close-packed monolayers of hydrophobes on the surface of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Roe-Hoan Yoon
  • Patent number: 6162265
    Abstract: A process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal. In the first step of the process, a first fluidized bed reactor with a bed whose density is from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and whose temperature is from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit is contacted with a coal with a moisture content of from about 15 to about 30 percent, liquid phase water, inert gas, and air. The comminuted and dewatered coal produced in the first fluidized bed reactor is then passed to a second fluidized bed with a density of from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and a temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit, to which water, inert gas, and from about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent of mineral oil with an initial boiling point of at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit is also fed; the temperature of the comminuted and dewatered coal is reduced to the temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit in less than about 120 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Fuels Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Dunlop, Leon C. Kenyon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6156083
    Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Tuboscope
    Inventor: James R. Dial
  • Patent number: 6156281
    Abstract: An improved process for removing mercury and other trace elements from coal containing pyrite by forming a slurry of finely divided coal in a liquid solvent capable of forming ions or radicals having a tendency to react with constituents of pyrite or to attack the bond between pyrite and coal and/or to react with mercury to form mercury vapors, and heating the slurry in a closed container to a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C. to produce vapors of the solvent and withdrawing vapors including solvent and mercury-containing vapors from the closed container, then separating mercury from the vapors withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignees: Howard University, CQ Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Akers, Kenneth N. Ekechukwu, Mobolaji E. Aluko, Howard E. Lebowitz
  • Patent number: 6068671
    Abstract: In drying coal to be used as fuel for a coal-fired boiler, the coal is dried at a temperature of 80 to 150.degree. C. by using combustion exhaust gas having passed through an air heater for the coal-fired boiler. Moreover, after medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated to a temperature of 300 to 500.degree. C. at a heating rate of not less than 100.degree. C. per minute and then cooled to a temperature of 250.degree. C. or below at a cooling rate of not less than 50.degree. C. per minute, the resulting reformed coal is cooled to a temperature of 70.degree. C. or below and stored for 1 month or more in a state of isolation from the atmosphere. In producing the aforesaid reformed coal, the medium-quality or low-quality coal is heated by using combustion exhaust gas obtained at the outlet of an economizer included in the coal-fired boiler equipment or at the outlet of a denitrator included therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kiyomichi Taoda
  • Patent number: 6042732
    Abstract: A method for dewatering coal tailings, clean coal products and mineral slurries with an effective coagulating amount of a combination of a cationic polymer and a starch. A preferred cationic polymer is poly(dimethylaminoethylacrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt) and preferred starches are unmodified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jankowski, Calvin T. Tobison
  • Patent number: 5904741
    Abstract: A process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal. In the first step of the process, a first fluidized bed reactor with a bed whose density is from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and whose temperature is from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit is contacted with a coal with a moisture content of from about 15 to about 30 percent, liquid phase water, inert gas, and air. The comminuted and dewatered coal produced in the first fluidized bed reactor is then passed to a second fluidized bed with a density of from about 30 to about 50 pounds per cubic foot and a temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit, to which water, inert gas, and from about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent of mineral oil with an initial boiling point of at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit is also fed; the temperature of the comminuted and dewatered coal is reduced to the temperature of from about 215 to about 250 degrees Fahrenheit in less than about 120 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Fuels Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Dunlop, Leon C. Kenyon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5897674
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing coal agglomerates for use in a direct smelting reducing furnace is disclosed, in which a fine coal is agglomerated at a high temperature in a simple manner, or anthracite or low free swelling coal having a low free swelling index is mixed with the fine coal, and the mixture is agglomerated at a high temperature, thereby turning the low quality coal to useful purpose. The present invention is characterized in that a fine coal having a free swelling index of 3.0 or more and a particle size of 8 mm or less, or the fine coal mixed with 70 weight % of anthracite or a low free swelling coal, is maintained at 600.degree. C. or over for 5 minutes or more, thereby manufacturing coal agglomerates for use in a direct smelting reducing furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignees: Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau
    Inventors: Young Chae Jung, Dal Hoi Lee, Min Young Cho
  • Patent number: 5887514
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a press, and a control device for reducing the capillary-bound water content in fiber cells of carbon-containing, finely comminuted solid materials and/or sludges. The method according to the invention includes rapidly raising the movable press plate of a filter press while the pressure chamber remains closed. A steam-coal dust mixture is formed due to the rapid expansion. At the same time, a first discharge lock is opened while the second discharge lock remains closed so that the exhaust steam flows in the direction of the controlled outlet valve. The exhaust steam can then be sent to a heat exchanger and then to another heat exchanger and, finally, may be reused for a subsequent operating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich B. Bielfeldt, Eckhard Kintscher
  • Patent number: 5863304
    Abstract: A process for reducing the spontaneous combustion tendencies of thermally beneficiated low rank coals employing heat, air or an oxygen containing gas followed by an optional moisture addition. Specific reaction conditions are supplied along with knowledge of equipment types that may be employed on a commercial scale to complete the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Western Syncoal Company
    Inventors: Arthur J. Viall, Jeff M. Richards
  • Patent number: 5863456
    Abstract: An aqueous dust suspression and dewatering fluid comprising one or more surfactants and at least one high terpene-containing natural oil. The fluid can be used in a formulation of water dosed with the aqueous dust suspression and dewatering fluid for the abatement of dust and dewatering of particulate material. Methods are described for the abatement of dust and dewatering of particulate material using the formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Erroll M. Pullen
  • Patent number: 5862746
    Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the water content of water-containing, granular brown coal under the action of thermal energy and pressure on the material (14) distributed flat in bed form using a press (9, 10) in which the brown coal is subjected to a mechanically applied initial surface pressure and which is furnished with orifices (21) for feeding steam (HD) which, supplying thermal energy to the brown coal, heats this, with condensation, and the hot water (HW) contained in the heated brown coal is expressed for use as a waste-heat source, a vessel (30) being provided for collecting the hot water (HW), from which vessel the hot water (HW) is passed to the orifices (21) in the press (9, 10), and which vessel is furnished with an inlet for the steam (HD) for expelling the hot water (HW).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik J. Dieffenbacher GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Friedrich Bielfeldt
  • Patent number: 5858035
    Abstract: A process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal. In the first step of this process, there is provided a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized bed density of from about 20 to about 40 pounds cubic feet, which is at a temperature of from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. To this reactor is fed coal with a moisture content of from about 25 to about 30 percent, an oxygen content of from about 10 to about 20 percent, and a volatile matter content of from about 35 to about 45 percent; also fed to this reactor is from about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent (by weight of dried coal) of mineral oil with an initial boiling point of at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit. A coated coal is produced in the reactor, and it is subjected to a temperature of from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit for from about 1 to about 5 minutes while simultaneously being comminuted and dewatered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Fuels Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 5830246
    Abstract: A process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal in which coal with a moisture content of from about 5 to about 30 percent and a combined oxygen content of from about 10 to about 20 percent, and mineral oil with an initial boiling point of at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit, are fed to a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized bed density of from about 10 to about 40 pounds per cubic foot. The coal becomes coated with the mineral oil, and the coated coal is maintained within the fluidized bed at a temperature of from about 225 to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit for from about 1 to about 5 minutes while simultaneously comminuting and dewatering the coated coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fuels Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 5830247
    Abstract: Aa process for preparing an irreversibly dried coal which utilizes a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized bed density of from about 20 to about 40 pounds cubic feet which is at a temperature of from about 150 to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. To this reactor is fed coal with a moisture content of from about 25 to about 30 percent, an oxygen content of from about 10 to about 20 percent, and a volatile matter content of from about 35 to about 45 percent; and it is subjected to a temperature of from about 150 to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit for from about 1 to about 5 minutes while simultaneously being comminuted and dewatered. The comminuted and dewatered coal is passed to a second fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized bed density of from about 20 to about 40 pounds per cubic foot and a reactor temperature of from about 480 to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Also fed to this second fluidized bed reactor is from about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent of mineral oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fuels Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Dunlop
  • Patent number: 5795484
    Abstract: An ultra-fine coal particle fraction forms a coal product with particles that are dilatant due to the mechanical stripping of the clay contaminates from the coal surface and the subdividing of the clay to clay platelets which are peptized to maintain discreetness in an aqueous slurry. The coal particles are unflocculated and can produce an aqueously permeable barrier on a sieve. The ultrafine coal product has an increase of 100-150 BTU per pound and when combusted reduced Nox production of 20-40% is realized. In a 15.times.0 micron coal fraction, the sulphur content is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Edward H. Greenwald, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5777890
    Abstract: In a material handling system in which a chemical treatment and water are added to a bulk solid, a method and apparatus for minimizing the amount of moisture added to the bulk solid while effectively controlling dust in the system. A moisture analyzing means monitors the surface moisture level of the bulk solid, and a calibration/measuring means determines the proper amount of chemical and water to be fed to the system for dust control. There are associated means for feeding the chemical treatment and water to the bulk solid, and a dust analyzing means, which monitors dust levels in the system and sends an electrical signal to the calibration/measuring means in order to adjust chemical feed and water flow in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Halley, Michael J. Mowbray, Rodger D. Kurtz