Process for removal of sulfur and ash from coal
First Claim
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1. A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an aqueous slurry of coal particles containing ash and pyritic sulfur mineral matter;
(b) adding to the slurry a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil sufficient to effect aggregation of the coal particles;
(c) incorporating a gas into or on the coal-oil aggregates, whereby the apparent density of the coal-oil aggregates is modified;
(d) gravitationally separating the density-modified coal-oil aggregates from the aqueous slurry; and
(e) recovering coal-oil aggregates of reduced sulfur.
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Abstract
A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal particles wherein coal particles are treated in an aqueous slurry with a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil to form coal-oil aggregates having modified particle size and density characteristics. The coal-oil aggregates are separated from ash and mineral matter in the slurry by gravitational means. Optionally, the coal particles may be treated with a conditioning agent prior to the aggregation step. Recovered coal particles comprise a substantial part of the feed carbon values.
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31 Claims
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1. A process for reducing the sulfur and ash content of coal comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an aqueous slurry of coal particles containing ash and pyritic sulfur mineral matter; (b) adding to the slurry a minor amount of hydrocarbon oil sufficient to effect aggregation of the coal particles; (c) incorporating a gas into or on the coal-oil aggregates, whereby the apparent density of the coal-oil aggregates is modified; (d) gravitationally separating the density-modified coal-oil aggregates from the aqueous slurry; and (e) recovering coal-oil aggregates of reduced sulfur. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification