US4331447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Coal treatment for ash removal and agglomeration
Assignee: NCOAL MINING RESEARCH CENTRE JAPAN
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Filing: 1980-07-17
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Granted: 1982-05-25
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Expires: 2000-07-17
Abstract
Abstract Coal particles can be agglomerated with simultaneous ash removal therefrom by adding an oil fraction to an aqueous slurry of coal particles which contains a surfactant and optionally an inorganic electrolyte.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kamada
- 👤 Kazumoto Saito
- 👤 Toshiaki Murata
- 👤 Tadahisa Miwa
- 👤 Masao Goto
- 👤 Toshiro Fukuda
- 👤 Hitoshi Taguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:15
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B9/00; B03B9/005; B03B1/00; B03B1/04; C; C10; C10L; C10L5/00; C10L5/02; C10L5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A process for treating coal particles for ash removal therefrom as well as agglomeration thereof, which comprises adding an oil fraction as a binder to an aqueous slurry of coal particles which contains a sufficient amount of at least one surfactant to cause ash removal and agglomeration of coal particles, and agitating the mixture to effect the ash removal and agglomeration of the coal particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A process for treating coal particles for ash removal therefrom as well as agglomeration thereof, which comprises adding an oil fraction as a binder to an aqueous slurry of coal particles which contains a sufficient amount of at least one surfactant to cause ash removal and agglomeration of coal particles, and agitating the mixture to effect the ash removal and agglomeration of the coal particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is an alkylolamide type surfactant or a combination thereof with an other surfactant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the alkylolamide type surfactant is a compound represented by the general formula ##STR4## wherein R is an acyl group residue containing 5 to 24 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene group containing 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R' is (--AO)nH or hydrocarbon group, m is an integer of at least 1, n is 0 (zero) or an integer of at least 1, and m+n is equal to 1 to 100.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant other than the alkylolamide type surfactant or a combination of said nonionic surfactant with an ionic surfactant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said nonionic surfactant is a polyoxyethylene type nonionic surfactant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 3, wherein said nonionic surfactant is at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a polyoxyalkylene polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester, a polyoxyalkylene fatty acid ester and a polyoxyalkylene alkylamine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant or a combination thereof with an amphoteric surfactant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 7, wherein the anionic surfactant is a sulfate ester salt, a carboxylic acid salt, a sulfonic acid salt or a phosphate ester salt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 7, wherein the anionic surfactant is a sulfate ester salt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is a cationic surfactant or a combination thereof with an amphoteric surfactant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 10, wherein the cationic surfactant is a quaternary ammonium salt or an amine salt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the slurry contains the surfactant in an amount of 10 to 2,000 ppm based on the weight of the coal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the oil fraction is added in an amount of 2 to 30% based on the weight of the coal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the oil fraction is an organic liquid immiscible with water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 14, wherein the organic liquid is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon oils, alcohols, animal oils and vegetable oils.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the oil fraction has a viscosity of 2 to 10,000 centipoises (20° C.).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the coal is lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, bituminous coal or anthracite.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the coal is subbituminous coal or bituminous coal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the coal particles have the maximum diameter or grain size of not greater than 3 mm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the concentration of coal particles in the aqueous slurry thereof is not more than 50% based on the total weight of water and coal particles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the resulting agglomerates have diameters of 0.2 to 5 mm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for treating coal particles for ash removal therefrom as well as agglomeration thereof, which comprises adding an oil fraction as a binder to an aqueous slurry of coal particles which contains a sufficient amount of a surfactant and an inorganic electrolyte to cause ash removal and agglomeration of coal particles, and agitating the mixture to effect the ash removal and agglomeration of the coal particles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A process for treating coal particles for ash removal therefrom as well as agglomeration thereof, which comprises adding an oil fraction as a binder to an aqueous slurry of coal particles which contains a sufficient amount of a surfactant and an inorganic electrolyte to cause ash removal and agglomeration of coal particles, and agitating the mixture to effect the ash removal and agglomeration of the coal particles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the inorganic electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts capable of releasing phosphate, sulfate, nitrate and chloride ions, respectively, in water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the inorganic electrolyte is alkali or alkaline earth metal salts capable of releasing phosphate or sulfate ions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the aqueous slurry of coal particles contains 0.5 to 1% of an inorganic electrolyte based on the weight of the coal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the slurry contains the surfactant in an amount of 10 to 2,000 ppm based on the weight of the coal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 22, wherein the weight ratio of the inorganic electrolyte to the surfactant is 100:0.5 to 100:20.
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) | 1985-05-24 | 1985-11-23 | 1986-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-24 | 1989-11-23 | 1990-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-24 | 1993-11-23 | 1994-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |