Apparatus for thermal removal of surface and inherent moisture and limiting rehydration in high moisture coals
US5997288A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF27D21/0014
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flighted, horizontally inclined rotary retort, heated externally by flame, hot gases, steam or other sources of heat. The retort shall have sufficient flight area to transport the coal through the retort in the predetermined time. The coal being processed in this retort is prevented from becoming exothermic by provision for a countercurrent flow of blanket gas, heated to a predetermined temperature below exotherm, to prevent coal surface temperatures from rising above the ignition temperature. The retort accommodates oversize pieces of raw coal by having alternating long and short flights, thus allowing greater space between long flights and allowing the larger pieces to be carried over the center pipe by the wiping action of the long flights. The retort will also be provided with an internal pipe, mounted on the center line of the shell. This pipe will be provided with the means for installation of thermocouples at regular intervals thereon in order to measure the surface temperature of the fuel in process. The temperature signals received from the thermocouples are used to control the heating rate and/or feed rate of the coal, or the speed of rotation of the retort.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.