# US 2014/0360094 A1 · Method of agglomerating fine particles using a concentrated water in oil emulsion > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360094 A1 - Document ID: US20140360094A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/374,454 - Filed: 2013-01-25 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-25 - Assignees: Newcastle Innovation Limited - Applicants: Newcastle Innovation Limited - Inventors: Kevin Patrick Galvin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360094A1 ## CPC - C10L 5/22: Methods of applying the binder to the other compounding ingredients; Apparatus therefor - C10L 1/324: {Dispersions containing coal, oil and water} - C10L 5/14: with organic binders - C10L 5/363: {Pellets or granulates} - C10L 5/366: {Powders} - C10L: FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G OR C10K; LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS; USE OF ADDITIVES TO FUELS OR FIRES; FIRE-LIGHTERS ## Abstract A method of agglomerating fine particles such as ultrafine coal in a benefication process, uses a water in oil emulsion to significantly reduce the amount of oil needed compared with known oil in water emulsions. A solution of oil and emulsifying agent is provided to which water is progressively added forming a concentrated water in oil emulsion with stabilized water drops (1) packed inside the oil solution phase (2). Fine particles in a slurry are then added, causing the fine particles to collide and stick to the emulsion particles. An optional form of the invention coats tiny portions of the emulsion in a thin film of low viscosity oil (5) to achieve a higher level of selectivity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of agglomerating fine particles including the steps of: providing a solution of oil and emulsifying agent, progressively dispersing water into said solution, and forming a concentrated water in oil emulsion with stabilized water drops packed inside the oil phase, and adding fine particles in a slurry, causing the fine particles to collide and stick to the emulsion particles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of adding the concentrated water in oil emulsion to a larger volume of agitated water until the concentrated water in oil emulsion is dispersed into the larger volume. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the concentrated water in oil emulsion is dispersed into smaller portions of concentrated water in oil emulsion surrounded by the larger volume of water. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fine particles are solid fine particles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fine particles are fine coal particles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fine particles are mineral particles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fine particles are liquid particles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the liquid particles are drops, micro-drops or droplets. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the liquid particles are oil drops, oil micro-drops or oil droplets. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentrated water in oil emulsion has a water volume fraction greater than 0.75. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the water volume fraction is greater than 0.9. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein tiny portions of the stabilised water drops packed inside the oil phase in the concentrated water in oil emulsion are coated with a new thin film of low viscosity oil, reducing the stickiness and increasing the hydrophobicity of the emulsion particles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chemical collector or gas bubbles are attached to the surface of the fine particles to improve hydrophobicity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein gas bubbles are added to the oil solution to form a foam-like binding agent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agglomerated fine particles stuck to the emulsion particles float to the surface of the water for easy removal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agglomerated fine particles stuck to the emulsion particles are passed over a screen to dewater and/or deslime the agglomerates. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slurry is an aqueous slurry. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil in the emulsion acts as a binding agent for said fine particles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 2) A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fine particles are liquid particles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 3) A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fine particles are liquid particles.