SEPARATION METHOD FOR DISCRETE MINERALS BONDED TOGETHER MECHANICALLY IN PARTICULATE FORM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FUEL USING THIS SEPARATION METHOD

摘要

The production of fuel comprising an emulsion of coal particles, oil and water or a dispersion of coal and oil in which pyrites, ash and other impurities are removed from the coal particles and the particles reduced in size by forming a slurry of contaminated coal particles and water and exposing that slurry to violent sonic agitation (14) to cause the impurities to be detached from the coal particles and the particles to be reduced in size. The coal and impurities are thereafter separated (16) and the coal subsequently incorporated into a fuel (22). The process may also be used to separate other minerals which are bonded mechanically as distinct from chemically, to each other.