Methods and systems for enhancing solid fuel properties

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a method of cleaning a solid fuel that may provide a starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics of a solid fuel to be treated by a solid fuel treatment facility; may provide a desired solid fuel characteristic; may compare the starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics to the desired solid fuel characteristic to determine a solid fuel composition delta; may determine an operational treatment parameter for the operation of the solid fuel treatment facility to clean the solid fuel based at least in part on the solid fuel composition delta; and may monitor contaminants emitted from the solid fuel during treatment of the solid fuel and regulating the operational treatment parameter with respect thereto to create a cleaned solid fuel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the following provisional applications, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60 / 788,297 filed Mar. 31, 2006, U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60 / 820,482 filed Jul. 26, 2006, U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60 / 828,031 filed Oct. 3, 2006, and U.S. Prov. Appl. No. 60 / 867,749 filed Nov. 29, 2006.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] This invention relates to the treatment of solid fuels, and more particularly, treatment of solid fuels using a microwave energy to remove contaminants. [0004] 2. Description Of The Related Art [0005] The presence of moisture, ash, sulfur and other materials in varied amounts in all solid fuels generally results in inconsistencies in fuel burn parameters and contamination produced by the burning process. The burning of solid fuels may result in the production of noxious gases, such as nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). Additionally, burnin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] An aspect of the present invention relates to a conveyor that operates within a continuous feed treatment facility. The conveyor may carry the solid fuel through the treatment facility while the solid fuel is being treated (e.g. carrying coal through a microwave energy field). A method and system of providing a conveyor facility may involve adapting it to transport solid fuel through a treatment facility. The conveyor may include a combination of features such as low microwave loss, high abrasion resistance, prolonged elevated temperature resistance, temperature insulation, burn-through resistance, high melt point, non-porous, and resistance to thermal run-away. The conveyor facility may be a substantially continuous belt. The conveyor facility may include a plurality of ridge sections that are flexibly coupled.

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods of transporting solid fuel through a solid fuel treatment facility. The systems and methods may involve providing a conveyor facility adapted to transport the solid fuel through a solid fuel microwave processing facility. In embodiments the conveyor facility is adapted to have at least one of or a combination of features such as low microwave loss, high abrasion resistance, prolonged elevated temperature resistance, localized elevated temperature resistance, temperature insulation, burn-through resistance, high melting point, non-porous with respect to particulates, non-porous with respect to moisture, resistance to thermal run-away or the other such features that create a resilient conveyor facility.

Problems solved by technology

The presence of moisture, ash, sulfur and other materials in varied amounts in all solid fuels generally results in inconsistencies in fuel burn parameters and contamination produced by the burning process.

Additionally, burning solid fuel may result in the generation of inorganic ash with elements of additional materials.

These processes may require the solid fuel to be crushed, pulverized, or otherwise processed into a size that is not be optimum for an end-user.

The cost may include the power requirements for the various solid treatment belt facility components, solid fuel released products collected in the removal system, inert gases used, and the like.

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