Method for improving the bulk density and throughput characteristics of coking coal

A method of improving operative characteristics of coking coal which comprises applying to said coal, in proportions by weight of about 1-10 pints per ton of coal, a treatment material selected from the group consisting of:

• (A) The combination of (1) an oil-soluble surfactant having the characteristic, when added to fuel oil, of increasing the spreading coefficient of said fuel oil, (2) an alcohol selected from the group consisting of alcohols having from 1-8 carbon atoms in their chain, and mixtures thereof, and (3) fuel oil, in the substantial absence of water, the components of said treatment material (A) comprising, in approximate proportions by weight, fuel oil 50-99% and the remainder 50-1%, said remainder comprising, in approximate proportions by weight, the surfactant 50-99% and said alcohol 50-1%;
• and
• (B) The combination of (1) a water soluble surfactant having the characteristic, when added to water, of increasing the spreading coefficient of water, (2) an inorganic lubricating substance formed of substantially rounded, substantially solid particles, the bulk of which pass a screen of about 375 mesh, and (3) water, in the substantial absence of fuel oil, the components of said treatment material (B) being present in proportions by weight of surfactant 0.1-30%, lubricating substance 1-20%, with the balance substantially all water.