Method for producing dried particulate coal fuel and electricity from a low rank particulate coal

A method for producing dried particulate coal fuel and electricity from a low rank particulate coal, said method consisting essentially of:

• (a) charging said particulate low rank coal to a coal drying zone wherein said coal is supported on a first support means, said first support means being adapted to the flow of a hot gas upwardly through said support means and said particulate low rank coal;
• (b) drying said particulate low rank coal in said coal drying zone by flowing a hot combustion gas upwardly through said first support means and said particulate low rank coal to heat said particulate low rank coal to a temperature from about 130.degree. to about 250.degree. F. and produce said dried particulate coal fuel;
• (c) charging a portion of such dried particulate coal to a coal fired furnace for combustion to produce a hot combustion gas stream at a temperature above above 2000.degree. F.;
• (d) charging at least a major portion of said hot combustion gas to a heat exchange zone wherein said hot combustion gas is cooled to a temperature from about 250.degree. to about 950.degree. F. to produce steam, heated water or heated air;
• (e) charging at least a portion of said steam to an electrical generator to produce said electricity;
• and
• (f) charging a portion of said hot combustion gas at a temperature from about 250.degree. to about 950.degree. F. to said coal drying zone as said hot gas.