Method for enhancing the utilization of powdered coal

Abstract

This invention proposes the addition of finely divided (powdered) lime, limestone, or dolomite, and flyash or other pozzolonic material, to finely divided coal (such as the product of a coal cleaning plant) to: (a) provide a binder such that the fine coal can easily be formed into durable pellets, agglomerates, briquettes, or other shapes and/or sizes convenient for handling, transporting, or storing using conventional techniques for standard lump coal, and (b) with these same low-cost materials, provide, upon combustion in a furnace or boiler of appropriate design, with or without prior grinding of the formed coal pieces, a highly dispersed sulfur-capturing agent (sorbent) which, because of its large surface area, high degree of dispersal, and initimate contact with burning coal particles, will efficiently remove gaseous sulfur compounds as they are formed during the combustion process. The lime, limestone, or dolomite incorporated in the binder function also as desulfurzing agents during the combustion process, thereby further minimizing sulfur emissions due to organic sulfur remaining in the cleaned coal; introducing the desulfurizing agent in this form and manner into the combustion chamber provides for highly controllable, highly efficient desulfurization capability and minimum operating problems; and, finally, the potential sulfur pollutants are captured in a form that permits their collection as part of well-established particulate emission (flyash) control procedures which are required anyway, irrespective of coal sulfur content.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.