Patent US4123230A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4123230A
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Sulfur removal from coal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-07
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Granted: 1978-10-31
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Expires: 1997-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A process for decreasing the sulfur content of coal is provided, which includes drying coal and subjecting the dried coal in a hydrogen atmosphere to the influence of wave energy in the microwave range.
Inventors
- 👤 Chalmer G. Kirkbride
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:43
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L9/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S44/00; Y10S44/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises subjecting a mixture of dry coal and hydrogen to microwave energy at a temperature of about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having a reduced sulfur content as the product of the process.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises subjecting a mixture of dry coal and hydrogen to microwave energy at a temperature of about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having a reduced sulfur content as the product of the process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises drying coal particles, admixing the dried coal particles with hydrogen, subjecting the coal-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having a reduced sulfur content as the product of the process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises drying coal particles, admixing the dried coal particles with hydrogen, subjecting the coal-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having a reduced sulfur content as the product of the process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Process according to claim 2 wherein the free moisture content of the coal is reduced to below 0.5% by weight in the drying step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process according to claim 2 wherein the pressure is from 5 to 10,000 psi while subjecting the coal-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 2 wherein the microwave energy is from about 1 to about 1,000,000 megacycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
Process for reducing the sulfur and oxygen contents of coal which comprises drying coal particles to a free moisture content of below 0.5% by weight, subjecting a mixture of the dried coal and hydrogen at a pressure of from atmospheric to 10,000 psi to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur and oxygen contents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
Process for reducing the sulfur and oxygen contents of coal which comprises drying coal particles to a free moisture content of below 0.5% by weight, subjecting a mixture of the dried coal and hydrogen at a pressure of from atmospheric to 10,000 psi to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur and oxygen contents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
Process for reducing the sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents of coal which comprises drying coal particles to a free moisture content of below 0.5% by weight, subjecting a mixture of the dried coal and hydrogen at a pressure of about 2,500 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
Process for reducing the sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents of coal which comprises drying coal particles to a free moisture content of below 0.5% by weight, subjecting a mixture of the dried coal and hydrogen at a pressure of about 2,500 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process according to claim 7 wherein ammonia is recovered from the process as a product thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises drying coal particles, admixing the dried coal particles with hydrogen and subjecting the coal-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, wherein the microwave energy is comprised of at least two frequencies.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises drying coal particles, admixing the dried coal particles with hydrogen and subjecting the coal-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy at a temperature of from about 40° F. to about 300° F. for a time of not more than 10 minutes, wherein the microwave energy is comprised of at least two frequencies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process according to claim 9 wherein the different frequencies of the microwave energy are applied simultaneously.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process according to claim 9 wherein the different frequencies of the microwave energy are applied consecutively.
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) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-05-01 | 1982-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-30 | 1986-05-01 | 1986-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-30 | 1990-05-01 | 1990-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |