US4152120A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coal desulfurization using alkali metal or alkaline earth compounds and electromagnetic irradiation
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1978-02-06
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Granted: 1979-05-01
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Expires: 1998-02-06
Abstract
Abstract Pyritic and organic sulfur is removed from pulverized coal by contacting the coal with an alkali metal or alkaline earth compound and thereafter using low amounts of electromagnetic energy to preferentially heat sulfur rich regions of the coal-alkali compound mixture. The alkali compound reacts with the sulfur within the coal to form water soluble, or separated compounds of sulfur which can easily be removed by washing the treated coal with water and/or to form compounds which do not convert into sulfur oxides during combustion of the coal.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter D. Zavitsanos
- 👤 Kenneth W. Bleiler
- 👤 Joseph A. Golden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:00
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L9/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S44/00; Y10S44/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A process for removing pyritic and organic sulfur from carbonaceous aggregates, which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting said aggregates with an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth compound, (b) irradiating said contacted aggregates with electro-magnetic energy for a duration sufficient to release chemically bonded sulfur within said aggregates and cause said sulfur to react with said alkali metal or alkaline earth compounds, and (c) removing the compounds formed by the reaction of the organic and pyritic sulfur with alkali metal or alkaline earth compound from said aggregates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for removing pyritic and organic sulfur from carbonaceous aggregates, which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting said aggregates with an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth compound, (b) irradiating said contacted aggregates with electro-magnetic energy for a duration sufficient to release chemically bonded sulfur within said aggregates and cause said sulfur to react with said alkali metal or alkaline earth compounds, and (c) removing the compounds formed by the reaction of the organic and pyritic sulfur with alkali metal or alkaline earth compound from said aggregates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of crushing said aggregates to a predetermined average size prior to contacting with said alkali metal or alkaline earth compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal compound is selected from the group comprising: NaOH, Na 2 CO 3 , LiOH, Li 2 CO 3 , KOH, K 2 CO 3 , CaO and Ca(OH) 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said compounds formed by the reaction of sulfur and the alkali metal or alkaline earth compounds is removed by washing said aggregates with water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4 further comprising the step of drying the washed aggregates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said irradiated electromagnetic energy lies in the frequency range between 1 MHZ and 50 GHZ.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aggregates are irradiated with electromagnetic energy for a duration between 1 and 90 seconds during said irradiation step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal or alkaline earth compound comprises a dry powder which is throughly mixed with the crushed aggregates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the alkali metal or alkaline earth compound comprises a 20% by weight solution which is mixed with the aggregate during said contacting step to form a slurry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a) recontacting said washed aggregate with said alkali metal or alkaline earth compound, (b) reirradiating said aggregate with electromagnetic energy, (c) rewashing said aggregate, and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until a desired level of sulfur removal has been achieved.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aggregates are maintained at a pressure of 1 atmosphere or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said aggregates are crushed during said crushing step to an approximate average diameter within a range of 0.005 centimeters to 5 centimeters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal compound is Na 2 S or a higher order sulfide of sodium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said slurry is dried prior to irradiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the aggregates is less than 350° C.
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) | 1982-04-30 | 1982-10-30 | 1983-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-30 | 1986-10-30 | 1987-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-30 | 1990-10-30 | 1991-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |