US4358293A — Coal-aqueous mixtures

Claim 1

Independent Claim 65 words

A coal-aqueous mixture consisting essentially of: particulate coal as a dispersed solid material; water as a carrier medium; and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, said hydrophilic portion comprising at least about 100 units of ethylene oxide, said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant being present in said mixture in an amount sufficient to disperse said particulate coal in said water carrier.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 65 words

A coal-aqueous mixture consisting essentially of: particulate coal as a dispersed solid material; water as a carrier medium; and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, said hydrophilic portion comprising at least about 100 units of ethylene oxide, said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant being present in said mixture in an amount sufficient to disperse said particulate coal in said water carrier.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

The mixture of claim 1 wherein said particulate coal is present in an amount from about 45 to 80 percent; said water is present in an amount from about 19.9 to 52 percent; and said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from about 0.1 to 3.0 percent, based on the total weight of the mixture.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

The mixture of claim 1 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant has a high molecular weight at least about 4000.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant comprises a composition of the formula ##STR8## wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl or an amino group, and n is an integer of at least about 100.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

A mixture as defined in claim 4 wherein R is a nonyl alkyl group.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 21 words

A mixture as defined in claim 4 wherein said polyalkylenoxide nonionic surfactant has a molecular weight of at least about 4000.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 40 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant comprises a composition of the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.a [CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O].sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H wherein a, b and c are whole integers totaling at least about 100.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

A mixture as defined in claim 7 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant has a molecular weight of at least about 6000.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 67 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant comprises a composition of the formula ##STR9## wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 to 5 carbon atoms; a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h are whole integers and e, f, g and h total at least about 100.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 29 words

A mixture as defined in claim 9 wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 carbon atoms and R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 carbon atoms.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 12 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 further containing a thickening agent.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

A mixture as defined in claim 11 wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, cellulose gum and glue.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

A mixture as defined in claim 11 where said thickening agent comprises from about 0.01 to 3 percent by weight of the total mixture.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 12 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 further containing a defoaming agent.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

A mixture as defined in claim 14 wherein said defoaming agent comprises a mixture of mineral oil, amide and an ester.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 further containing a salt or a base.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 13 words

A mixture as defined in claim 16 wherein said salt is sodium chloride.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 13 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said particulate coal is beneficiated.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 20 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said particulate coal is about 200 mesh in Tyler Standard screen size.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 44 words

A mixture as defined in claim 1 wherein said particulate coal is characterized by having a sulfur content of from 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight, and an ash content of from about 0.5 to 6.0 percent, based on the weight of dry coal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

A mixture as defined in claim 20 wherein said particulate coal has a coating comprised of a polymer of an unsaturated monomer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

A mixture as defined in claim 21 wherein said coating is in an amount of from about 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight, based on the weight of dry coal.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 15 words

A mixture as defined in claim 21 wherein said unsaturated monomer is a tall oil.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

A mixture as defined in claim 20 wherein said particulate coal further includes a minor amount of fuel oil.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 44 words

A method for forming a coal-aqueous mixture comprising: admixing particulate coal with ingredients consisting essentially of water and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, said hydrophilic portion being comprised of at least about 100 units of ethylene oxide.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 44 words

A method for forming a coal-aqueous mixture comprising: admixing particulate coal with ingredients consisting essentially of water and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, said hydrophilic portion being comprised of at least about 100 units of ethylene oxide.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant is of the general formula: ##STR10## wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl or an amino group and n is an integer of at least about 100.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant is of the formula: HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.a [CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O].sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H wherein a, b and c are whole integers totaling at least about 100.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 63 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant is of the formula: ##STR11## wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 to 5 carbon atoms; a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h are whole integers and e, f, g and h total at least about 100.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein a thickening agent is added to said coal-aqueous mixture.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 29 wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, cellulose gum and glue.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein a defoaming agent is added to said coal-aqueous mixture.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 31 wherein said defoaming agent comprises a mixture of mineral oil, amide and polyethylene glycol oleate ester.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 25 wherein a salt is added to said coal-aqueous mixture.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 33 wherein said salt is sodium chloride.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 25 wherein a caustic is added to the mixture.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 25 wherein said coal-aqueous mixture is prepared in a continuous operation.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 36 wherein said continuous operation for preparing said coal-aqueous mixture comprises first admixing said particulate coal with said water and said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant in a first stage and thereafter adding a thickener in a second stage.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 149 words

A coal-aqueous mixture consisting essentially of: particulate coal as a dispersed solid material; water as a carrier medium; and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a composition of the formula ##STR12## wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl or an amino group, and n is an integer of at least about 100, a composition of the formula ##STR13## wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 to 5 carbon atoms; a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h are whole integers and e, f, g and h total at least about 100 and a compound of the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.a [CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O].sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H wherein a, b and c are whole integers totaling at least about 100.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 149 words

A coal-aqueous mixture consisting essentially of: particulate coal as a dispersed solid material; water as a carrier medium; and a polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of a composition of the formula ##STR12## wherein R is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl of from 1 to 18 carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted aryl or an amino group, and n is an integer of at least about 100, a composition of the formula ##STR13## wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 to 5 carbon atoms; R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 to 5 carbon atoms; a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h are whole integers and e, f, g and h total at least about 100 and a compound of the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.a [CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O].sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H wherein a, b and c are whole integers totaling at least about 100.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 58 words

The coal-aqueous mixture of claim 38 wherein said particulate coal is present in an amount from about 45 to 80 percent; said water is present in an amount from about 19.9 to 52 percent; and said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant is present in an amount from about 0.1 to 3.0 percent, based on the total weight of the mixture.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 20 words

The coal-aqueous mixture of claim 38 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant has a high molecular weight at least about 4000.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 15 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein R is a nonyl alkyl group.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 30 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein R 1 is an alkylene radical having 2 carbon atoms and R 2 is an alkylene radical having 3 carbon atoms.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 34 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein said polyalkyleneoxide nonionic surfactant having the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.a [CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O].sub.b (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.c H has a molecular weight of at least about 6000.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 13 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 further comprising a thickening agent.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 27 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 44 wherein said thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, guar gum, cellulose gum and glue.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 25 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 44 where said thickening agent comprises from about 0.01 to 3 percent by weight of the total mixture.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 13 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 further containing a defoaming agent.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 22 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 47 wherein said defoaming agent comprises a mixture of mineral oil, amide and an ester.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 15 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 further containing a salt or a base.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 14 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 49 wherein said salt is sodium chloride.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 14 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein said particulate coal is beneficiated.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 21 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein said particulate coal is about 200 mesh in Tyler Standard screen size.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 45 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 38 wherein said particulate coal is characterized by having a sulfur content of from 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight, and an ash content of from about 0.5 to 6.0 percent, based on the weight of dry coal.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 23 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 53 wherein said particulate coal has a coating comprised of a polymer of an unsaturated monomer.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 31 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 54 wherein said coating is in an amount of from about 0.1 to 5.0 percent by weight, based on the weight of dry coal.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 16 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 54 wherein said unsaturated monomer is a tall oil.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 19 words

The coal-aqueous mixture as defined in claim 54wherein said particulate coal further includes a minor amount of fuel oil.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1985-11-08	1986-05-10	1986-11-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1989-11-08	1990-05-10	1990-11-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1993-11-08	1994-05-10	1994-11-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Coal-aqueous mixtures

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