UPGRADING PROCESS FOR INERT RICH OXIDIZED COAL

摘要

- 1 -Abstract:A process for upgrading low quality, highly oxidizedcoals to make them more suitable for carbonization,combination or liquefaction. The process comprisesreducing (e.g. grinding) the coal to a particle sizeof 60 mesh (about 250µ ) or less, feeding the resultingpulverized coal to a reactor, contacting the coal withwater or steam and with carbon monoxide or synthesis gas(CO + H2), heating the reactor contents to bring aboutupgrading and then cooling the reactor and removing thecoal. The reaction temperature must be about 50°C + 5°Cbelow the softening temperature of the coal as measuredby a Ruhr dilatometer and the reaction should be allowedto proceed at that temperature for 45-55 minutes. Theinitial gas pressure should be 1500 + 100 psi (10.3 + 0.7MPa) at 25°C. Finally, the amount of water or steamrelative to the coal should be at least 0.2:1 by weight.When these reaction conditions are followed, a coal havingsignificantly improved combustion, coking or liquefactionproperties can be obtained.