US4092125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Treating solid fuel
Assignee: Battelle Development Corp
•
Filing: 1976-12-27
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1996-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type that comprises mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.70 (typically 0.10 to 0.35) by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 (typically 0.08 to 0.20) by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 (typically 2 to 5) by weight; heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150° to 375° C (typically 175° to 300° C) in such a manner as to improve the usefulness of the fuel particles; and cooling to below about 100° C. The cooled mixture either is dried or filtered to separate the fuel particles from the solution, the particles then being washed and dried. The filtered solution is regenerated so that it can be again mixed with unreacted fuel particles. The solution typically comprises essentially sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide or carbonate, and may comprise also magnesium hydroxide or carbonate.
Inventors
- 👤 Edgel P. Stambaugh
- 👤 Satya P. Chauhan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:14
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L9/00; C10L9/02; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/093; C10J2300/0943; C10J2300/0953; C10J2300/0956; C10J2300/0973; C10J2300/0976; C10J2300/0983; C10J2300/0986; C10J2300/0996; C10J2300/18; C10J2300/1807; C10J2300/1861; C10J2300/1884; C10J2300/1892; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S44/00; Y10S44/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal of coke type comprising (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium or potassium hydroxide together with (b) calcium or magnesium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.10 to 0.70 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.10 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, and a temperature of about 175° to 300° C in such a manner as to leach soluble components from the fuel particles and to incorporate within the volume thereof a significant amount of calcium or magnesium to provide a gasification catalyst; (iii) separating the fuel particles, as a solid phase, from the easily removable liquid phase of the solution; and (iv) washing the separated fuel particles; in such manner as to produce a clean, reactive, solid fuel containing a gasification catalyst and adapted for use as a gasification feedstock.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal of coke type comprising (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium or potassium hydroxide together with (b) calcium or magnesium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.10 to 0.70 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.10 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, and a temperature of about 175° to 300° C in such a manner as to leach soluble components from the fuel particles and to incorporate within the volume thereof a significant amount of calcium or magnesium to provide a gasification catalyst; (iii) separating the fuel particles, as a solid phase, from the easily removable liquid phase of the solution; and (iv) washing the separated fuel particles; in such manner as to produce a clean, reactive, solid fuel containing a gasification catalyst and adapted for use as a gasification feedstock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the washed fuel particles are subsequently dried.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein the dried fuel particles are subsequently gasified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 3, wherein the dried fuel particles are gasified with hydrogen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 4, wherein the dried fuel particles are partially gasified with the hydrogen and then gasified with steam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the washed fuel particles are subsequently gasified with steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the filtered solution is regenerated so that it can be again mixed with unreacted fuel particles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the treating is substantially continuous, comprising the steps of (a) continuously introducing the fuel particles at a preselected rate into the liquid aqueous solution to form a slurry, (b) moving the slurry through a region maintained at the elevated pressure and temperature, (c) moving the slurry outside the region of step (b) and separating the easily removable liquid phase from the solid fuel particles, (d) moving the fuel particles away from the separated liquid phase, and washing the particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 8, wherein the separated liquid phase is regenerated by removing any impurities therefrom and is recycled as the liquid aqueous solution in the continuous process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the ratio of water to fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the solution comprises essentially sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 11, wherein the solution comprises also magnesium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the ratio of (a) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.35 by weight, the ratio of (b) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.20 by weight, and the ratio of water to fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
235 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type comprising (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.07 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150° to 375° C in such a manner as to leach sulfur and ash from the fuel particles into the solution and to incorporate within the volume of the particles a significant amount of calcium, magnesium, or barium, or a plurality thereof; (iii) separating the fuel particles, as a solid phase, from the easily removable liquid phase of the solution; and (iv) washing the separated fuel particles; in such manner as to produce a clean, solid fuel having a lowered sulfur and sodium, potassium, or lithium content while containing calcium, magnesium, or barium, or a plurality thereof, to combine with sulfur remaining in the fuel particles during combustion, pyrolysis, or gasification thereof, whereby the combined sulfur can be retained in the char or the ash of the fuel.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
235 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type comprising (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.07 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150° to 375° C in such a manner as to leach sulfur and ash from the fuel particles into the solution and to incorporate within the volume of the particles a significant amount of calcium, magnesium, or barium, or a plurality thereof; (iii) separating the fuel particles, as a solid phase, from the easily removable liquid phase of the solution; and (iv) washing the separated fuel particles; in such manner as to produce a clean, solid fuel having a lowered sulfur and sodium, potassium, or lithium content while containing calcium, magnesium, or barium, or a plurality thereof, to combine with sulfur remaining in the fuel particles during combustion, pyrolysis, or gasification thereof, whereby the combined sulfur can be retained in the char or the ash of the fuel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the mixture is filtered to separate the fuel particles from the solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 15, wherein the filtered solution is regenerated so that it can be again mixed with unreacted fuel particles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the washed fuel particles are subsequently dried.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the treating is substantially continuous, comprising the steps of (a) continuously introducing the fuel particles at a preselected rate into the liquid aqueous solution to form a slurry, (b) moving the slurry through a region maintained at the elevated pressure and temperature, (c) moving the slurry outside the region of step (b) and separating the easily removable liquid phase from the solid fuel particles, (d) moving the fuel particles away from the separated liquid phase, and washing the particles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 18, wherein the separated liquid phase is regenerated by removing any impurities therefrom and is recycled as the liquid aqueous solution in the continuous process.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the ratio of water to fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 14, wherein the solution comprises essentially sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 21, wherein the solution comprises also magnesium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type comprising, (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.07 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; and (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150° to 375° C in such a manner as to improve the usefulness of the fuel particles.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of treating fine particles of solid carbonaceous fuel of the coal or coke type comprising, (i) mixing the fuel particles with a liquid aqueous solution comprising essentially (a) sodium, potassium, or lithium hydroxide together with (b) calcium, magnesium, or barium hydroxide or carbonate, or a plurality thereof, with a ratio of (a) to the fuel of about 0.04 to 0.07 by weight, a ratio of (b) to the fuel of about 0.02 to 0.30 by weight, and a ratio of water to the fuel of about 1 to 10 by weight; and (ii) heating the resulting mixture, at an elevated pressure, to a temperature of about 150° to 375° C in such a manner as to improve the usefulness of the fuel particles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the mixture is subsequently cooled to below about 100° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 24, wherein the cooled mixture is filtered to separate the fuel particles from the solution.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 25, wherein the filtered fuel particles are subsequently washed.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein the washed fuel particles are subsequently dried.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 24, wherein the cooled mixture is subsequently dried.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 26, wherein the filtered solution is regenerated so that it can be again mixed with unreacted fuel particles.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the treating is substantially continuous, comprising the steps of (a) continuously introducing the fuel particles at a preselected rate into the liquid aqueous solution to form a slurry, (b) moving the slurry through a region maintained at the elevated pressure and temperature, (c) moving the slurry outside the region of step (b) and separating the easily removable liquid phase from the solid fuel particles, (d) moving the fuel particles away from the separated liquid phase, and washing the particles.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein the separated liquid phase is regenerated by removing any impurities therefrom and is recycled as the liquid aqueous solution in the continuous process.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the ratio of (a) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.70 by weight.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the ratio of (b) to the fuel is about 0.08 to 0.30 by weight.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the ratio of water to fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the solution comprises essentially sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 35, wherein the solution comprises also magnesium hydroxide or carbonate.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein the mixture is maintained at a temperature of about 175° to 300° C.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as in claim 37, wherein the ratio of (a) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.70 by weight, the ratio of (b) to the fuel is about 0.08 to 0.30 by weight, and the ratio of water to fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 37, wherein the ratio of (a) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.35 by weight, the ratio of (b) to the fuel is about 0.10 to 0.20 by weight, and the ratio of water to the fuel is about 2 to 5 by weight.
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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) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |