Chemical comminution of coal and removal of ash including sulfur in inorganic form therefrom

摘要

Treatment of coal with ammonia which contains water, whether the coal is in a sub-surface stratum or in large lumps as mined by standard means weakens interlayer forces at natural interfaces present in the coal. The extent to which the interlayer forces may be reduced by this treatment is such that the coal may be reduced to fragments without application of mechanical force. Further, inorganic compounds present in the coal are unaffected by said treatment, as a result of which inorganic components, and, particularly, sulfur compounds may readily be separated from the coal fragments by known means.