Apparatus for manufacturing and stabilizing coal-oil-water fuel mixture

Claim 2

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a processing chamber for said coal-oil-water mixture to be treated therein; (ii) two opposed plates in contact with said mixture in said chamber, said plates being for oscillation at a predetermined frequency and said plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other; (iii) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate at said predetermined frequency; (iv) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate in a predetermined relative phase relationship; and (v) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grinder is capable of grinding said coal to an average particle size of less than 100 microns, said high molecular weight organic compound is contained in a heavy residual oil containing paraffinic fractions and said sonic agitator operates at less than 20,000 cycles per second.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 including a cleaner for cleaning said coal before or after grinding.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cleaner comprises froth flotation apparatus.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cleaner is a sonic agitator.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cleaner is a heavy media separator.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for assisting in the formation of coal-oil-water agglomerates and the removal of ash and excess water prior to stabilization of the mixture by the sonic agitator.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said assisting means includes (a) a high shear mixer to assist in the formation of said agglomerates; and (b) a first screen for removing some of said ash and excess water.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said assisting means further includes (c) a low shear mixer to assist in the formation of said agglomerates; and (d) a second screen for removing some of said ash and excess water.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said assisting means further includes (e) a first surge tank for mixing said agglomerates from said first screen with a high molecular weight organic compound; and (f) a second surge tank for mixing said agglomerates from said second screen.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said assisting means further includes (g) a ribbon mixer for mixing said agglomerates from said second surge tank with a high molecular weight organic compound; and (h) a pump to direct said agglomerates to said sonic agitator.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to any of claims 1-11 wherein said opposed plates form two surfaces of said processing chamber.

Claim 14

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a first and second parallel plate having the front surfaces thereof facing each other and spaced at a predetermined distance for forming two sides of a processing chamber; (ii) a spacer interposed between said parallel plates for forming the other, peripheral sides of said processing chamber, said spacer having an input aperture for enabling said fuel mixture to flow into said processing chamber and an outlet aperture for enabling said fuel mixture to flow out of said processing chamber; (iii) at least one first transducer secured to the back surface of said first plate and for producing oscillations thereof; (iv) at least one second transducer secured to the back surface of said second plate and for producing oscillations thereof; (v) means functionally connected to and for causing each of said first and second transducers to oscillate at a predetermined frequency; (vi) means functionally connected to said first and second transducers and for causing said first transducer to oscillate in a predetermined relative phase relationship to said second transducer; and (vii) means functionally connected to and for causing each of said first and second transducers to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude; whereupon, upon causing said fuel mixture to flow through said processing chamber while causing said first and second transducers to oscillate at said predetermined phase, amplitude and frequency, said plates will oscillate thereby creating oscillations within said fuel mixture in said processing chamber thereby treating said fuel mixture.

Claim 15

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a first and second parallel plate having the front surfaces thereof facing each other and spaced at a predetermined distance for forming two sides of a processing chamber; (ii) a spacer interposed between said parallel plates for forming the other, peripheral sides of said processing chamber, said spacer having an input aperture for enabling said fuel mixture to flow into said processing chamber and an outlet aperture for enabling said fuel mixture to flow out of said processing chamber; (iii) at least one first transducer secured to the back surface of said first plate and for producing oscillations thereof; (iv) at least one second transducer secured to the back surface of said second plate and for producing oscillations thereof; (v) means functionally connected to and for causing each of said first and second transducers to oscillate at a predetermined frequency; (vi) means functionally connected to said first and second transducers and for causing said first transducer to oscillate in a predetermined relative phase relationship to said second transducer; and (vii) means functionally connected to and for causing each of said first and second transducers to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude; whereupon, upon causing said fuel mixture to flow through said processing chamber while causing said first and second transducers to oscillate at said predetermined phase, amplitude and frequency, said plates will oscillate thereby creating oscillations within said fuel mixture in said processing chamber thereby treating said fuel mixture.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said input and outlet apertures are substantially linearly aligned.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said plates are symmetrically disposed about the alignment axis of said input and outlet apertures.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said predetermined amplitude of oscillation of each of said plates is selectable within a predetermined range of amplitudes while said fuel mixture is flowing through said processing chamber.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said predetermined relative phase relationship between the oscillations of each of said plates is selectable within a predetermined range of relative phase relationships while said fuel mixture is flowing through said processing chamber.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said predetermined frequency of oscillations of each of said plates is selectable within a predetermined range of frequencies while said material is flowing through said processing chamber.

Claim 21

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a processing chamber having an input thereto and an outlet therefrom for said fuel mixture to flow therethrough and to be treated therein; (ii) two opposed rectilinear plates in contact with said fuel mixture in said chamber, said plates being for oscillation and said plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other, said plates forming two surfaces of said processing chamber and the front surfaces of said plates facing each other; (iii) a first plurality of magnetostrictive transducers having their radiating surfaces secured to the backs of one of said opposed plates; (iv) a second plurality of magnetostrictive transducers having their radiating surfaces secured to the backs of the other of said plates; (v) oscillating means for producing first signals having a frequency selectable within a predetermined range of frequencies; (vi) phase means functionally interconnected with said oscillating means and responsive to the frequency output thereof for producing at least two first output signals having selectable phase relationships therebetween; (vii) power signal means functionally interconnected with said oscillating means, and responsive to the frequency output thereof, and functionally interconnected with said phase means, and responsive to said first output signals thereof, for producing a first and second set of power signals, said first set of power signals corresponding to one of said first output signals and said second set of power signals corresponding to the other of said first output signals, said first set of power signals corresponding in number to said first plurality of transducers and said second set of power signals corresponding in number to said second plurality of transducers, each one of said first set of power signals corresponding respectively to one of said first plurality of transducers, each one of said second set of power signals corresponding respectively to one of said second plurality of transducers, said power signal means for controlling the magnitude of power within said first and second sets of power signals; (viii) a first set of driving means corresponding in number to said first plurality of transducers and functionally interconnected with said first set of power signals and said first plurality of transducers, each of said first set of driving means respectively responsive to said first set of power signals for driving respectively said first plurality of transducers; and (ix) a second set of driving means corresponding in number to said second plurality of transducers and functionally interconnected with said second set of power signals and said second plurality of transducers, each of said second set of driving means respectively responsive to said second set of power signals for driving respectively said second plurality of transducers.

Claim 22

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a processing chamber having an input thereto and an outlet therefrom for said fuel mixture to flow therethrough and to be treated therein; (ii) two opposed rectilinear plates in contact with said fuel mixture in said chamber, said plates being for oscillation and said plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other, said plates forming two surfaces of said processing chamber and the front surfaces of said plates facing each other; (iii) a first plurality of magnetostrictive transducers having their radiating surfaces secured to the backs of one of said opposed plates; (iv) a second plurality of magnetostrictive transducers having their radiating surfaces secured to the backs of the other of said plates; (v) oscillating means for producing first signals having a frequency selectable within a predetermined range of frequencies; (vi) phase means functionally interconnected with said oscillating means and responsive to the frequency output thereof for producing at least two first output signals having selectable phase relationships therebetween; (vii) power signal means functionally interconnected with said oscillating means, and responsive to the frequency output thereof, and functionally interconnected with said phase means, and responsive to said first output signals thereof, for producing a first and second set of power signals, said first set of power signals corresponding to one of said first output signals and said second set of power signals corresponding to the other of said first output signals, said first set of power signals corresponding in number to said first plurality of transducers and said second set of power signals corresponding in number to said second plurality of transducers, each one of said first set of power signals corresponding respectively to one of said first plurality of transducers, each one of said second set of power signals corresponding respectively to one of said second plurality of transducers, said power signal means for controlling the magnitude of power within said first and second sets of power signals; (viii) a first set of driving means corresponding in number to said first plurality of transducers and functionally interconnected with said first set of power signals and said first plurality of transducers, each of said first set of driving means respectively responsive to said first set of power signals for driving respectively said first plurality of transducers; and (ix) a second set of driving means corresponding in number to said second plurality of transducers and functionally interconnected with said second set of power signals and said second plurality of transducers, each of said second set of driving means respectively responsive to said second set of power signals for driving respectively said second plurality of transducers.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 19 wherein said flowing material may be processed in said processing chamber at a selectable predetermined pressure other than atmospheric pressure.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said input and outlet are substantially linearly aligned.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said power signal means includes means for selecting the duty cycle of said first set of power signals within a predetermined range of duty cycles and for selecting the duty cycle of said second set of power signals within said predetermined range of duty cycles.

Claim 26

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a plurality of serially connected processing chambers, each one having an input thereto and an outlet therefrom for said fuel mixture to flow therethrough and to be treated therein, the output of one processing chamber connected to the input of the next successive processing chamber; (ii) a plurality of sets of two opposed, substantially parallel plates, said plurality of sets being equal in number to said plurality of processing chambers, each set being within one respective processing chamber, each of said opposed plates being in contact with said fuel mixture within their respectively associated processing chambers, said opposed plates within each of said sets for being vibrated at a predetermined frequency; (iii) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said plates within each of said sets to oscillate at said predetermined frequency; (iv) phase means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing one of said plates within each of said sets to oscillate in a predetermined phase relationship relative to the other corresponding plate within each of said sets; and (v) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said plates to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude of oscillation.

Claim 27

Apparatus for manufacturing a coal-oil-water mixture for use as a fuel comprising (a) a grinder for grinding coal to a relatively fine particle size; (b) mixing means for controllably mixing said coal particles with water and oil; and (c) a sonic agitator to stabilize the coal-oil-water mixture; the sonic agitator comprising: (i) a plurality of serially connected processing chambers, each one having an input thereto and an outlet therefrom for said fuel mixture to flow therethrough and to be treated therein, the output of one processing chamber connected to the input of the next successive processing chamber; (ii) a plurality of sets of two opposed, substantially parallel plates, said plurality of sets being equal in number to said plurality of processing chambers, each set being within one respective processing chamber, each of said opposed plates being in contact with said fuel mixture within their respectively associated processing chambers, said opposed plates within each of said sets for being vibrated at a predetermined frequency; (iii) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said plates within each of said sets to oscillate at said predetermined frequency; (iv) phase means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing one of said plates within each of said sets to oscillate in a predetermined phase relationship relative to the other corresponding plate within each of said sets; and (v) means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said plates to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude of oscillation.

Claim 28

Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said frequency means comprises: means for causing each plate of each of said sets of plates to oscillate at a frequency which varies among said sets and from one of said sets to the next successive one of said sets for producing a gradient of frequencies among said plurality of sets of plates.

Claim 29

Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said phase means comprises: means for causing one of said plates of each of said sets of plates to oscillate at a phase relative to the other corresponding plate of each of said sets such that the phase difference between the plates of one of said sets varies from the phase difference between the plates of the next successive one of said sets for producing a gradient of phase differences among said plurality of sets of plates.

Claim 30

Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said amplitude means comprises: means for causing each plate of each of said sets of plates to oscillate with an amplitude of oscillation which varies among said sets and from one of said sets to the next successive one of said sets for producing a gradient of amplitudes of oscillation among said plurality of sets of plates.

Claim 31

Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the sonic agitator comprises: a processing chamber for said fuel mixture to be treated therein; two opposed plates in contact with said fuel mixture in said chamber, said plates being for oscillation at a predetermined frequency and said plates being disposed substantially parallel to each other; means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate at said predetermined frequency; means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate in a predetermined relative phase relationship; and means functionally connected to each of said opposed plates for causing each of said opposed plates to oscillate at a predetermined amplitude.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 27 wherein said opposed plates form two surfaces of said processing chamber.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said assisting means includes (a) a high shear mixer to assist in the formation of said agglomerates; and (b) a first screen for removing some of said ash and excess water.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said assisting means further includes (c) a low shear mixer to assist in the formation of said agglomerates; and (d) a second screen for removing some of said ash and excess water.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said assisting means further includes (e) a first surge tank for mixing said agglomerates from said first screen with a high molecular weight organic compound; and (f) a second surge tank for mixing said agglomerates from said second screen.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said assisting means further includes (g) a ribbon mixer for mixing said agglomerates from said second surge tank with a high molecular weight organic compound; and (h) a pump to direct said agglomerates to said sonic agitator.

Claim 38

Apparatus as defined in any of claims 1-33 wherein the spacing between the plates is of the order of 500 meters per second divided by the applied sonic frequency, and is at least 25 mm.