US4039425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for preparing a coal slurry substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1975-12-22
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Granted: 1977-08-02
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Expires: 1995-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A slurry of coal solids or similar carbonaceous material substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles is prepared for delivery to any desired place of use by introducing particulate coal and a suitable carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone; passing a stream of slurry from the slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; returning a concentrated slurry stream from the separator to the slurry preparation zone; and passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from the separator to an elutriation zone, which communicates with and extends downward from the slurry preparation zone, in such a manner as to form an upward directed current in the elutriation zone. The velocity of the upward directed current is adjusted so that the heavy mineral-rich particles, which enter the slurry preparation zone with the particulate coal, pass downward through the upward directed current into a collection zone thereby resulting in the formation of a slurry in the slurry preparation zone which is substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Neavel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 05:30
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G1/00; C10G1/04; C10G1/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A process for preparing a slurry composed of a carrier liquid and coal or similar carbonaceous solids substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles for delivery to any desired place of use which comprises: a. introducing said carbonaceous solids and said carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone, said slurry preparation zone communicating with an elutriation zone extending downward from the bottom of said slurry preparation zone; b. passing a stream of slurry from said slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; c. returning a concentrated slurry stream from said separator to said slurry preparation zone; d. passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from said separator to said elutriation zone in such a manner as to form an upward directed current of predetermined velocity in said elutriation zone, whereby mineral-rich and other particles in said slurry preparation zone and said elutriation zone having a settling velocity greater than said predetermined velocity pass downward through said elutriation zone; and e. passing a slurry stream deficient in mineral-rich particles from said slurry preparation zone to said place of use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A process for preparing a slurry composed of a carrier liquid and coal or similar carbonaceous solids substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles for delivery to any desired place of use which comprises: a. introducing said carbonaceous solids and said carrier liquid into a slurry preparation zone, said slurry preparation zone communicating with an elutriation zone extending downward from the bottom of said slurry preparation zone; b. passing a stream of slurry from said slurry preparation zone to a liquid-solids separator; c. returning a concentrated slurry stream from said separator to said slurry preparation zone; d. passing a substantially clarified liquid stream from said separator to said elutriation zone in such a manner as to form an upward directed current of predetermined velocity in said elutriation zone, whereby mineral-rich and other particles in said slurry preparation zone and said elutriation zone having a settling velocity greater than said predetermined velocity pass downward through said elutriation zone; and e. passing a slurry stream deficient in mineral-rich particles from said slurry preparation zone to said place of use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise coal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous solids comprise char.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said carrier liquid comprises a hydrocarbon oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said liquid-solids separator comprises a liquid cyclone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as defined by claim 1 wherein said place of use comprises a high pressure reactive system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
A process for preparing a slurry composed of a hydrocarbon oil and coal solids substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles for delivery to a high pressure reaction zone which comprises: a. mixing raw coal solids with a hydrocarbon oil in a mixing zone to form a raw slurry; b. passing said raw coal slurry to a slurry preparation zone, said slurry preparation zone communicating with an elutriation zone extending downward from the bottom of said slurry preparation zone; c. passing a stream of slurry from said slurry preparation zone to a liquid cyclone; d. returning the concentrated slurry underflow from said liquid cyclone to said slurry preparation zone; e. passing the substantially clarified liquid overflow from said liquid cyclone to said elutriation zone in such a manner as to form an upward directed current of predetermined velocity in said elutriation zone, whereby mineral-rich and other particles in said slurry preparation zone and said elutriation zone having a settling velocity greater than said predetermined velocity pass downward through said elutriation zone; and f. passing a slurry stream deficient in mineral-rich particles from said slurry preparation zone into said high pressure reaction zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
A process for preparing a slurry composed of a hydrocarbon oil and coal solids substantially depleted in mineral-rich particles for delivery to a high pressure reaction zone which comprises: a. mixing raw coal solids with a hydrocarbon oil in a mixing zone to form a raw slurry; b. passing said raw coal slurry to a slurry preparation zone, said slurry preparation zone communicating with an elutriation zone extending downward from the bottom of said slurry preparation zone; c. passing a stream of slurry from said slurry preparation zone to a liquid cyclone; d. returning the concentrated slurry underflow from said liquid cyclone to said slurry preparation zone; e. passing the substantially clarified liquid overflow from said liquid cyclone to said elutriation zone in such a manner as to form an upward directed current of predetermined velocity in said elutriation zone, whereby mineral-rich and other particles in said slurry preparation zone and said elutriation zone having a settling velocity greater than said predetermined velocity pass downward through said elutriation zone; and f. passing a slurry stream deficient in mineral-rich particles from said slurry preparation zone into said high pressure reaction zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined by claim 7 wherein said hydrocarbon oil comprises a coal-derived oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process as defined by claim 7 wherein said slurry preparation zone is maintained at a temperature from about 212° F. to about 350° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as defined by claim 7 wherein said particles passing downward through said elutriation zone pass into a collection zone, said collection zone communicating with the bottom of said elutriation zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as defined by claim 10 wherein fine coal particles are separated from said particles in said collection zone and returned to said slurry preparation zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as defined by claim 7 wherein said high pressure reaction zone comprises a coal liquefaction reactor wherein said coal solids are liquefied.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |