Microfine Coal Fuel Oil Composition With Low Ash and Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to economically produce a fuel oil blend that meets specifications for low mineral matter content and particle size, particularly for coal fines, which are typically discarded as waste due to their high ash and water content, making them unsuitable for direct blending with fuel oil.
Innovation Solution
The development of a fuel oil composition comprising de-ashed and dewatered microfine coal particles, with a particle size predominantly below 20µm, blended with fuel oil to create a stable suspension that meets fuel oil specifications, including low ash, water, and sulphur content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If coal fines are blended directly with fuel oil, then the cost per unit volume of the blended fuel oil is reduced, but the ash content and water content increase making the blend unsuitable for fuel oil specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing de-ashing and dewatering treatments on coal fines before blending them with fuel oil. This pre-treatment removes harmful impurities (ash and water) from the coal fines, ensuring that the final blend meets fuel oil specifications while still achieving cost reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of coal fines (high ash and water content) into a benefit by developing a treatment process that selectively removes these impurities. The coal fines, which would normally be discarded as waste, are transformed into a valuable fuel blend component after de-ashing and dewatering treatment.
2Quantity of substance
If thermal drying is used to remove pore-held water from coal, then the water content is reduced temporarily, but the water is readily re-adsorbed to its natural level from the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by using de-ashing and dewatering processes that physically remove water from coal fines more effectively than simple thermal drying. The treatment extracts both surface water and pore-held water, producing a stable low-moisture product that does not readily re-adsorb atmospheric water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the coal fines through de-ashing and dewatering treatment. This includes modifying the surface properties and pore structure of the coal particles to reduce their affinity for water, thereby achieving stable low moisture content that resists re-adsorption from the atmosphere.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If coal density and froth flotation techniques are used to separate coal from extraneous mineral matter, then the mineral matter content is reduced, but excess water must be added to produce a coal slurry and surface water remains attached to particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separation and dewatering techniques into a comprehensive treatment process. By combining density separation, froth flotation, and advanced dewatering methods, the process achieves both low mineral matter content and low water content in the final product, overcoming the limitations of using either technique alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selectively treating different aspects of the coal fines. The de-ashing process targets mineral matter removal while the dewatering process specifically addresses water removal. This multi-faceted approach ensures that each harmful component is addressed by the most appropriate treatment method.
4Length of moving object
If modern grinding methods are used to grind minerals to microfine particle sizes, then the particle size is reduced, but the area of external surfaces increases markedly and the quantity of surface water increases similarly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dewatering treatment after the grinding process. This subsequent treatment specifically targets the surface water that accumulates on the fine particles, using methods such as filtration, centrifugation, or drying to remove the excess surface water and achieve the desired low moisture content.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document relates to a fuel oil composition comprising: (i) a solid hydrocarbonaceous and/or solid carbonaceous material, wherein the material is in particulate form, and wherein at least about 90% by volume (%v) of the particles are no greater than about 20 microns in diameter; and (ii) a liquid fuel oil; wherein the solid hydrocarbonaceous and/or solid carbonaceous material is present in an amount of at most about 30 by mass (%m) based on the total mass of the fuel oil composition. The invention further relates a process for the preparation of this fuel oil composition, a method of changing a grade of a liquid fuel oil, and a method for adjusting the flash point of a liquid fuel oil.