Fuel product and process

Abstract

A process for producing fuel pellets is described. The pellets are obtainable from a particulate carbon-based material and a binder, the process comprising the following steps: admixing the material and binder, and agglomerating the so-formed mixture by tumbling. The tumbling action, such as in a rotary drum, serves to agglomerate the particles and bind the mixture into the pellets, usually with a variable size distribution. No mechanical compression force is required, and with the binders used, the process can be carried out at ambient temperature. The process provides a simple but efficient process for using waste carbon-based materials, and forming a useable fuel product, which is easily transportable and efficiently combustible. Rotating drum or pan agglomerators are relatively low cost to build, and are capable of very high tonnage throughputs. Customised products can be produced and the process enhances the economics of ash and sulphur removal in coal upgrade plants.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to fuel products and methods for their manufacture. Background technique

[0002] A persistent problem in many solid-based fuel extraction processes is the disposal of waste "fines" material. About 10% of mined coal ends up as fine (typically less than about 3 mm) or ultrafine (typically less than about 0.1 mm) coal dust. This pulverized coal is usually not suitable for final processing, even if its size is not problematic, but retains a large amount of water (10%-30%) making its transport and combustion "stubborn", difficult and inefficient.

[0003] One of the solutions is to form briquettes (briquettes). Briquettes can be formed by compressing fine particles under extremely high pressure to physically form the secondary fuel material. However, the high investment and operating costs of briquetting plants (forming plants) have prevented their use in countries other than some high-consuming countries. In many places, ...

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