Utilization of solid material containing combustible matter

US4155313A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · US

Inventor

• Gerald Moss · West Sand Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 1977
• Grant date: May 22, 1979
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 1997

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C10L9/00
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Solid particles comprising combustible matter (e.g. coal) associated with or contaminated by inert matter (e.g. ash, rock) is segregated in a segregation zone into low density/small size and high density/large size fractions. The low density/small size fractions are passed to a utilization zone for conversion of the combustible matter. The high density/large size fractions are size reduced (e.g. by grinding) and either returned to the segregation zone, or passed at least in part, directly to the utilization zone. The conversion of the combustion matter proceeds more efficiently as a result. The segregation zone may operate by fluidized size/density segregation and in the utilization zone, the combustible matter may be at least partially combusted, preferably in a fluidized bed.