Coal drying method and system
AssigneeVitrinite Services, LLC
InventorsRichard W. BLAND, Bruce MCDANIEL
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and system for drying coal using activated alumina. The method and system dries the coal by combining coal with the activated alumina. While in combination, the mixture is agitated to maximize surface contact between the activated alumina and the coal. As the coal contact the activated alumina, the surfactant moisture on the coal is then absorbed by the activated alumina. The activated alumina allow for the water molecules to pass into the sieves, thus being removed from the coal. After a period of agitation, the method and system thereby separates the activated alumina and the coal.
Claims20
A method for drying coal comprising:
- combining a first volume of coal with a second volume of activated alumina;
- drying the coal through contacting engagement of the coal with activated alumina such that moisture content of the coal is reduced by the activated alumina;
- and
- separating the activated alumina from the coal.
A system for drying coal comprising:
- a combination unit for holding a first volume of coal and a second volume of activated alumina such that a moisture content of the coal is reduced by the contacting engagement with the activated alumina;
- a coal distribution unit for placing the first volume of coal in the combination unit;
- a activated alumina distribution unit for placing the second volume of activated alumina in the combination unit;
- and
- a separation device for separating the activated alumina from the coal.
A method for drying coal comprising:
- separating a plurality of coal to generate larger coal pieces and coal;
- placing a first volume of the coal in a combination unit;
- adding a second a volume of activated alumina in the combination unit;
- agitating the combination unit for a first period of time such that the coal are in contacting engagement with activated alumina, thereby reducing a moisture content of the coal;
- separating the activated alumina from the coal;
- and
- removing moisture content from the activated alumina.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.