Patent US4106997A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4106997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for converting coal to a plastic-like condition and feeding same to a receiver
Assignee: Long Airdox Co
•
Filing: 1977-04-13
•
Granted: 1978-08-15
•
Expires: 1997-04-13
Abstract
Abstract The invention comprises methods for converting a supply of solid, naturally occurring coal and like hydrocarbon material to a plastic-like condition solely by the application of heat, and without employing any extraneous additives, and conducting the plastic-like conditioned material to a pressurized receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor Kevorkian
- 👤 Francis J. Cumings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:46
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10B; C10B57/00; C10B57/08; C10B31/00; C10J; C10J3/00; C10J3/02; C10J3/20; C10J3/30; C10J3/46; C10J3/48; C10J3/50; C10J3/72; C10J3/74; C10J3/76; C10J3/78; C10L; C10L5/00; C10L5/02; C10L5/06; C10J2200/00; C10J2200/15; C10J2200/158; C10J2300/00; C10J2300/09; C10J2300/0913; C10J2300/093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for converting coal to a plastic-like condition and feeding such converted coal to a pressurized receiver, comprising the steps of: providing a supply of coal; providing a housing with a rotatively driven screw means therewithin, said housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening; providing a pressurized receiver; communicating said discharge opening with said pressurized receiver; feeding the supplied coal to said inlet opening of said housing, to cause said screw means therewithin to move the coal through said housing to said discharge opening for discharge thereof to said pressurized receiver; heating the coal, during movement thereof through said housing by said screw means, to a given temperature, of at least about 750° to 800° F, which is sufficiently great to effect conversion of the coal to said plastic-like condition; wherein said step of heating the coal to a given temperature, during movement thereof through said housing by said screw means, comprises conducting a continuous flow of hot, energized, fluid through said screw means to heat said screw means, and to cause the latter to heat the coal; and further comprising the step of breaking up the converted coal, prior to discharge thereof from said housing to said receiver, by venting said continuous flow of energized fluid from openings in a terminal end of said screw means and addressing the venting fluid to the converted coal which has been moved through the housing to the discharge opening thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for converting coal to a plastic-like condition and feeding such converted coal to a pressurized receiver, comprising the steps of: providing a supply of coal; providing a housing with a rotatively driven screw means therewithin, said housing having an inlet opening and a discharge opening; providing a pressurized receiver; communicating said discharge opening with said pressurized receiver; feeding the supplied coal to said inlet opening of said housing, to cause said screw means therewithin to move the coal through said housing to said discharge opening for discharge thereof to said pressurized receiver; heating the coal, during movement thereof through said housing by said screw means, to a given temperature, of at least about 750° to 800° F, which is sufficiently great to effect conversion of the coal to said plastic-like condition; wherein said step of heating the coal to a given temperature, during movement thereof through said housing by said screw means, comprises conducting a continuous flow of hot, energized, fluid through said screw means to heat said screw means, and to cause the latter to heat the coal; and further comprising the step of breaking up the converted coal, prior to discharge thereof from said housing to said receiver, by venting said continuous flow of energized fluid from openings in a terminal end of said screw means and addressing the venting fluid to the converted coal which has been moved through the housing to the discharge opening thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for converting and feeding coal and like material according to claim 1, wherein said receiver providing step comprises providing a receiver having a pressure of at least about 50 PSIG.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for converting and feeding coal and like material according to claim 1, wherein the material supply providing step comprises providing said material in granular form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for converting and feeding coal and like material according to claim 1, wherein the material supply providing step comprises providing said material in lump form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for converting and feeding coal and like material according to claim 1, wherein said receiver providing step comprises providing a coal gasification reactor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for converting and feeding coal and like material according to claim 1, wherein said receiver providing step comprises providing a synthesis gas generator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |