US4148614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for removing sulfur from coal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-04-13
•
Granted: 1979-04-10
•
Expires: 1998-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A process for decreasing the sulfur content of coal is provided, which includes forming a slurry of coal particles in an inert solvent, and subjecting the slurry in admixture with hydrogen 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 12:55
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L9/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S44/00; Y10S44/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 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 slurried in liquid paraffinic hydrocarbons and hydrogen at a pressure of from 5 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur and oxygen contents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 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 slurried in liquid paraffinic hydrocarbons and hydrogen at a pressure of from 5 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur and oxygen contents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Process as in claim 1 wherein hydrogen is circulated in the space between the slurry in the reactor and the microwave source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Process as in claim 2 wherein the linear velocity of the hydrogen in the space between the slurry and the microwave source is at least 1 foot per second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 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 slurried in a solvent and hydrogen at a pressure of from about 2,500 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 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 slurried in a solvent and hydrogen at a pressure of from about 2,500 psi to 10,000 psi to microwave energy, and recovering coal having reduced sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen contents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process according to claim 4 wherein ammonia is recovered from the process as a product thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises forming a slurry of dry coal particles in an inert solvent, admixing the coal slurry with hydrogen, and subjecting the coal-solvent-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy wherein said microwave energy is composed of at least two microwave frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
Process for reducing the sulfur content of coal which comprises forming a slurry of dry coal particles in an inert solvent, admixing the coal slurry with hydrogen, and subjecting the coal-solvent-hydrogen mixture to microwave energy wherein said microwave energy is composed of at least two microwave frequencies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Process according to claim 1 wherein the coal-solvent-hydrogen mixture is subjected to the two microwave frequencies simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Process according to claim 5 wherein the coal-solvent-hydrogen mixture is subjected to the two microwave frequencies.
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) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |