Ashless Coal Production via Solvent Extraction and Preheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing ashless coal face limitations in increasing the extraction rate of coal components soluble in solvents, which affects the yield and efficiency of the ashless coal production process.
Innovation Solution
A production apparatus and method that includes a preheater to heat the solvent, an extraction tank for extracting coal components, a coal feeding unit to prevent solvent backflow, and a solvent separator to evaporate and separate the solvent, optimizing the heating and mixing steps to enhance the extraction rate and yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the extraction temperature and extraction time are optimized to increase the extraction rate, then the yield of ashless coal improves, but the energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coal is subjected to preliminary heating treatment before the extraction process. The coal is heated to a predetermined temperature range (200-400°C) and held for a specific time period (0.5-2 hours) to activate the coal structure and improve solvent penetration, thereby enhancing the subsequent extraction efficiency without requiring excessive energy during the extraction phase itself
2Productivity
If a non-hydrogen donating solvent with excellent affinity to coal is used to increase extraction rate, then the yield of ashless coal improves, but the cost of solvent and complexity of solvent separation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the key parameter of solvent selection by using water as the extraction medium instead of traditional organic solvents. Water's polarity and hydrogen bonding capabilities are leveraged to dissolve coal components effectively. The separation complexity is reduced by controlling extraction temperature and using filtration techniques, avoiding the need for complex distillation or solvent recovery systems required by organic solvents
3Device complexity
If the coal is fed into the extraction tank directly without preheating, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the extraction rate decreases due to insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The coal undergoes preliminary heating in a dedicated heating device before being fed into the extraction tank. This preheating step activates the coal structure, opens up the molecular network, and improves solvent penetration. The heating is controlled within a specific temperature range (200-400°C) and time period (0.5-2 hours) to optimize extraction without requiring overly complex equipment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus and method significantly improve the extraction rate and yield of ashless coal by ensuring efficient mixing and extraction of coal components, reducing costs and increasing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a preheater that heats a solvent
Implementation Method 2
an extraction tank that extracts a coal component soluble in the solvent from a slurry comprising a mixture of a coal and the solvent which has been heated by the preheater
Implementation Method 3
a solid-liquid separator that separates a solution part containing the coal component from the slurry from which the coal component has been extracted
Implementation Method 4
a solvent separator that evaporates and separates the solvent from the solution part which has been separated by the solid-liquid separator to obtain an ashless coal
Data Source
AI summary
A production apparatus of an ashless coal includes a preheater, an extraction tank, a feed pipe, a solid-liquid separator and a solvent separator. The preheater heats a solvent. The extraction tank extracts a coal component soluble in the solvent from a slurry including a mixture of a coal and the solvent heated by the preheater. The coal feeding unit feeds the coal to the feed pipe by pressuring a feed part to the feed pipe such that the solvent does not flow back. The solid-liquid separator separates a solution part containing the coal component from the slurry. The solvent separator evaporates and separates the solvent from the solution part to obtain an ashless coal.