rexresearchElectromagnetic & Ultrasonic Methods for Processing Coal & Oil Shale
Plasma Torch
US3,122,212
Method & Apparatus for Drilling of Rock
High voltage /low current is introduced to an air-fuel flame to drill rock.USP3,443,639
Consolidating Sand w/ Plasma Jet
Boreholes are consolidated by fusion of sand w/ a plasma torch.WO 01/33056
Low Power Compact Plasma Fuel Converter
Fuel-air mixture is treated w/ 40 KV @ 10 milliamps to 1 amp to reform the fuel by glow discharge. The High-V/Low-A Plasmatron is low cost, has long electrode life, uses a simple power supply & control, & eliminates need for an air compressor. A catalytic reaction zone can be added downstream.US 2002/0012618
Plasmatron-Catalyst System
The system generates hydrogen-rich gas by catalytic reformation of air-fuel-water/steam. The system increases H yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.Koks, Smola, Gaz (Pol.) 29(8-9) 215-217 (1984) Chemical Abstracts (CA) 102:151899 Gasification of lignite by low temperature H plasma
Highest yields of C2H2 (25.3% based on converted coal) and CO (19.8 %) were obtained w/ countercurrent powdered coal-plasma flow. In addition to C2H2 and CO, the reaction also gave C2H4, CO2, and C6H6.JP 11-3,542,900 (1999): Pulverized Coal Igniting Plasma Torch
US4,487,683
Acetylene from Coal & Electric Arc
Pulverized coal & methane is introduced into an electric arc to form a plasma at 8000-10,000* F, which is then cooled to 5000-6000 & held @ this temp for 60 ms. Liquid slag & product exit. Product contains primarily C2H2, C6H6, & a medium BTU fuel gas.
Radio Frequencies
HU19,498
Coal Refining by GHz EMF
Lower quality coals, lignites, and oil shales were fractionated by treatment in high freq. EM fields at 100-160*. Thus, a lignite (caloric value 1700 KCal/kg, H2O 51%, ash 13%) was heated 46 minutes in a 2.55 GHz EM field at 120* in air to give a coal with calorific value 4649 Kcal/kg containing 51.3% C, 8.4% H2O, and 15.4% ash plus 350 gr H2O, oil & gas 10 gr, & tar 32 gr/kgBE481,314
Conversion of Crude Oils & Shale Oils into Gasoline by Ultra-Short EM Waves
“Very short EM waves produce an effect similar to thermal cracking but at a lower temperature & w/ higher yields.”FR973,715
Destructive Hydrogenation @ Low Temp & Low Pressure w/ Radio Frequencies (1-3 MHz)
Stationary waves are established w/ points of high T & P & conditions that usually are obtainable only in an autoclave can be obtained in contact w/ atmosphere. Shale, lignite, coal, peat, &c., are treated to produce oxides, aldehydes, alcohols or acids.DE 901,048
Gas Reactions in a Magnetic Field
Gas reactions in a magnetic field w/ Si & Ni alloy w/ Co & Fe (catalysts for oil cracking) increases susceptibility. Lines of force concentrate in the reaction space, & side reactions are prevented. The catalyst can be made to vibrate by interruption of the magnetic field (i.e., magnetostriction ultrasonics)Oil Shale Symp. Proc. 12: 283-298 (1979) (CA 92: 211198 ) Comparison of Dielectric Heating & Pyrolysis of USA Oil Shales
Dielectric heating is advantageous in terms of rate of heating, product recovery, effects of gas pressure, temp distribution, net energy ratios, in-situ gasification, & U leaching.JP 84 49,292
Microwave Molding of Lignite
Lignite is softened at 120* by microwave heating @ 2450 MHz and molded (400 kg/cm)
Ultrasound
Report DOE/PC/30143-T4 Energy Res. Abstr. 7(10), Abstr. # 27651 (1982) (CA 97:58220 ) Ultrasonic Coal Cleaning
Ultrasonic activation of several coal cleaning processes in all cases "demonstrated effects that would translate in production to processing efficiencies and/or capital equipment savings. Specifically, in the chlorinolysis process, pyritic S was removed 23 times faster w/ ultrasonics than w/o it. In NaOCl leaching, the total S extraction rate was 3 times faster w/ ultrasound. Two benefits were seen w/ oxydesulfurization: ultrasonics doubled the reaction rate and at slightly accelerated rates allowed a pressure reduction from 960 to 500 psi".British Patent # 737,555 (CA 50:6109): Ultrasonic Gasification of Lignite
Gas-gas & gas-aerosol reactions are increased several hundred times by passing a supersonic shock wave through the mixture. Lignite dust having a caloric value of 5060 Kcal/kg is gasified in air at 1200-1700* & 0.8-1.5 atmospheres to give a gas having a caloric value of 745 KCal/cu meter by passing a shock wave of 125 MHz/sec through the mixture. The shock wave is generated by the periodic compression obtained by the exothermic reaction of coal dust with air.Gov. Rep. Announce. Index (US) 90(23), Abstr. # 060,438 (1990) Report, 1990, GRI-90/-163.1; Order #PB90-269622 CA 115:32418 Ultrasonic Gasification of Coal
Numerous operating conditions, catalysts & reactor configurations; "Overall, at the conditions and with the catalysts and slurry media tested, ultrasound was not effective in sustaining coal gasification reactions. The most favorable results were obtained w/ lignite-water slurry irradiated w/ high intensity ultrasound w/ KOH catalyst @ 550 F & 1050 psig. After 1 hour sonification, the C conversion to gas was about 5%... Ultrasound significantly increased the types & quantities of components that were solubilized... and reduced the particle size of lignite..."FR973,715 Cracking of Lignite & Shale w/ Ultrasound
Hydrogenation of oil shale & lignite @ low temperature & low w/ 1-3 MHz ultrasound.US2,722,498 Ultrasonic Extraction of Oil Shale
Solvent extraction of shale oil is improved w/ ultrasound (400 KHz). The amount of organic material extracted is tripled and the time required is reduced by 90%.US4,280,558
Ultrasonic Recovery of Oil from Sand
Water is pumped into an oil-bearing formation and ultrasound is applied to drive out the oil.US4,151,067 Ultrasonic Extraction of Oil Shale
Oil is separated from a slurry of oil shale by treatment w/ ultrasound.BR 82 04,258
Ultrasonic Extraction of Oil Shale
A mixture of powdered oil shale & bitumen is heated to 300-400* and treated w/ ultrasound. "The process produces a higher yield than previous techniques, produces relatively few and environmentally acceptable emissions, and uses a minimal amount of water."BR 80 08,635
Ultrasonic Extraction of Oil Shale
Application of 20 KHz & 80 kg/cm2 to crushed oil shale for 1 minute generates internal temperatures up to 315*, liberating petroleum extracts.BR 81 06,361
UV-Ultrasonic Gasification of Oil Shale
Pulverized oil shale & TiO2-RuO2-Pt catalyst & H20 are irradiated w/ UV light @ 0.83u to give H & CO2. Ultrasound is used to maintain movement of the particles.Fuel 68(10):1227-1233 (1989) (CA 111:198237 ) Ultrasonic Extraction of Coal
Ultrasound (0.455-1.46 W/cm2 ) can extract at least 58% of mobile organic matter w/o rupturing any chemical bonds. The average molecular weight of the extract is 340-1055GB 2,139,245
Coal Cleaning w/ Ultrasound
Coal slurry (pH 6-9) is agitated w/ ultrasound and separated by centrifuging or froth flotation. A second treatment w/ ultrasound and ozone releases more contaminants.Probl. Obog. Tverd. Goryuch Iskop. 5 (2): 70-80 (1976); Increasing Effectiveness of Coal Flotation w/ Ultrasound (CA 87:154619 )
15 sec treatment increases yield of concentrates to 78% (originally 66%). Exposure of slurry containing both collector (kerosene) and frothing agent sharply decreased flotation efficiency.US4,156,593
Ultrasonic Wet-Grinding Coal
Coal contaminants (e.g., pyrites, clay) are removed from coal slurry @ relatively low temp & press & @ increased throughput rates by an ultrasonic source. Pyrites are reduced from 30 % to 0.7 %.US4,151,067
Ultrasonic Production of Shale Oil
A slurry of pulverized oil shale is treated w/ ultrasound to emulsify it. The emulsion is separated by aeration. "The process has only moderate requirements for heat and energy".An. Quim. 86(2):175-181 (1990)
Ultrasonic Extraction of Tar Sand (CA 113:234362 )
Extraction of tar sands w/ a solution of sodium-silicate & ultrasound produces bitumen w/ very low ash content & virtually free of metals and asphaltenes, w/ 95% cumulative recovery (based on C content) in a continuous operation.US4,054,506
Extraction of Tar Sand w/ Solvent & Ultrasound
78% of the bitumen was removed in 60 sec; all of the bitumen was removed in 4 extractions w/ 60 KHzJP 81,127,684
Ultrasonic Hydrogenation of Coal
Powdered coal & catalyst (CuCl2-AnCl2) was hydrogenated w/ ultrasound (20 KHz) for 1 hr to nearly double the yield of the same reaction w/o ultrasound.US4,226,879
Fluid Resonator
A fluid resonator for recovery of oil, drilling, emulsification, & secondary recovery of oil; the fluid flows through and around cylinders positioned in the stream and parallel to the flow causes ultrasonic vibrations in fluid.JP 97 40,980
Dry coal preparation for a wide range of particle sizes; high efficiency removal of impurities (esp. sulfides).Ranliao Huaxue Xuebao 24(4): 360-363 (1996) Ultrasonic Treatment of Coal Slurry (CA 125:304721 )
Ultrasound greatly decreases viscosity & improves static stability of slurried coal; "All these results show that the ultrasonic treatment is a practical method to improve the high-load coal water slurry".Prepr. Paper: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fue Chem 39(4):1223-7 (1994) (CA 121:259407 ) Deashing of Coal w/ Ultrasound
A crossbow filter w/ sonic waves radiated parallel to the filtering surface prevents buildup of solids at filter medium, eliminates clogging.Proc. Intl. Conf. Coal Slurry Technol. 16: 323-334 (1991) (CA 120: 275037 ) Ultrasonic Ash/Pyrite Liberation
Enhancement of ash & pyrite separation from coal by pretreatmnt w/ ultrasound.USP4,391,608
Ultrasonic Beneficiation of Coal
Slurried coal is deashed & desulfurized by treatment w/ ultrasound (20 KHz @ 0.7 W/cm2/30 min) followed by separation & washing. Froth flotation alone resulted in coal containing 5.03% ash & 1.22% S. Ultrasonic treatment resulted in 4.07% ash & 0.125% S.US 4,537,599
Ultrasonic Deashing/Desulfurization of Coal
Sulfur, clay & pyrite are removed from slurried coal by treatment w/ ultrasoundZA 80 06,424
Ultrasonic Coal Cleaning
Slurried coal is irradiated w/ ultrasound to produce cavitation, reduce particle size, & detach pyrites & ash from the coal. The impurities are removed by density differences.JP 82,128,791
JP 84,223,793
Deashing of Coal w/ Ultrasound
Slurried coal is deashed by ultrasound; ash content is reduced from 14.1 to 5.4% by weight.
Ultrasonic Deashing of CoalJP 84,142,289
Ultrasonic Deashing of CoalJP 76,138,055
Removal of Oil from Waste Water
Emulsified oil (1 liter) is mixed w/ inorganic salt (CaCl, 40 gr), flocculant or electrolytic surfactant & exposed to ultrasound (20 KHz / 20 W / 10 min ) and settled 10 min, followed by removal of the floated oil. Treatment reduced wastewater content from 850 ppm oil & 1030 ppm COD to 15 ppm oil & 65 ppm COD.SU126,072 Apparatus for Concentration of Coal Fines Using Ultrasound
Report DOE/PC/88883-T9 Energy Res. Abstr. 17(4), # 8452 (1992) (CA 118: 237345 )
ElectroAcoustic Dewatering (EAD) of Fine Coal
Pilot plant study for economic dewatering of -100 mesh & -325 mesh coal by synergistic combination of electric & ultrasonic fields in conjunction w/ conventional mechanical processes.Godishnik Upravlen. Geol. Prouch., Otdel A-12: 97-104 (1961/62)
Ultrasonic Extraction of Bituminous Material from Sedimentary Rock
Ultrasonic vibration for 12 hrs nearly doubled the yield of material extracted, w/ no change in the character of the extracted bitumen.Can. J. Chem. Engg. 61(5):697-702 (1983) Ultrasonic Irradiation of Coal-Solvent Extraction
JP 94,220,457 (CA 121:304495
Coal Liquefaction w/ Ultrasound
A slurry of coal and solvent is liquefied in an high-pressure H2 atmosphere w/ a catalyst and ultrasound. See also: JP 94 108,062 & JP 94 108,061 & JP 94,108,060 (CA 121:13753 )Powder Technology 40(1-3):187-194 (1984) (CA 102:48468 )
Selective Agglomeration of Coal Slimes w/ Ultrasound
Acoustic agitation is much more efficient than mechanical-rotational agitation w/ an impeller mixer.Sudovye Energ. Ustanovki 1981, pp. 21-24 (CA 98:21738 )
Ultrasonic Separation of Oil-Water Emulsion
10-15 minutes irradiation of unstabilized water-oil emulsions, e.g., petroleum-containing ship wastewaters, w/ an asymmetric sound field increases the rate of emulsion separation 15 times compared w/ untreated emulsions.Japan Patent 81,52,613:
Ultrasonic Mixing
Fuel oil & water are mixed & atomized in air by ultrasonic apparatus designed to increase the efficiency of fuel combustion.J. Appl. Chem. 20(8): 245-251 (1970):
Ultrasonic Solubilization of Coal
"The amount of coal solubilized is a function of time & particle size. The use of char prepared at the temperature of maximum coal fluidity increased the amount of material solubilized".Wien. Mitt.: Abwasser-Gewasser 1971, 6, K1-K18 (CA 79:57346 )
Ultrasonic Clarification of Oil Industry Waste Water
"Ultrasound provides an effective means for clarification of waste water from the oil, metal , and pharmaceutical industries..."Neftepererab. Neftekhim. (Moscow) 10:14-16 (1981)
Ultrasonic Stabilization of Fuel
"Ultrasound disperses asphaltenes and tars present in diesel fuels, thus improving their storage stability... Ultrasound (15 KHz) disperses all sedimenting impurities in a few minutes giving stable fuels".JP 82,119,822 (CA 97:219406)
Ultrasonic Emulsification of Oil-WaterUS4,126,547 (CA 90:156672)
Ultrasonic Oil Spill RemovalBP 874,315 (CA 91:177966)
Ultrasonic Preparation of Coal Slurries
Electro-Carbonization/Gasification
Univ. Missouri School Mines & Met., Bull., Tech. Ser. No. 78 (1952), 84 pp.:
The Process of Underground Electrocarbonization
Review of methods used in 8 Euro countries & USA: chamber, stream, borehole, filtration linking, and hydrolinking. Electrocarbonization (EC) involves drilling boreholes, installing steel pipe, pre-heating, electro-linking ( 30 min), EC (3-4 hrs), electro-gasification (w/ air/steam injection) yields producer gas, 120-300 BTU. Electro-carbonization takes place in a dumb-bell-shaped elliptical zone, the long axis being fixed by the electrodes. Fire channel fractures form, and considerable fusion occurs.Producers Monthly 16(11):14-20 (1952) (CA 50: 2151 )
At a critical voltage level, current may be caused to flow through an oil shale or sand bed, resulting in the gradual development of a path of carbonized particles from one electrode to another. Oil & gas are produced by low-wattage electrical heating of shale and tar sand; the path of carbonization is used as a heating element.
Electro-Osmosis
US2,799,641 Electrolytic Promotion of Oil Well Flow
Pulsed DC stimulation of oil flow can double production.US3,417,823 Electro-Osmosis of Oil Well Water
Water is electrically transported to the cathode and removed to improve the permeability of the remaining oil.J. Canadian Petroleum Technology 3:8-14 (Spring 1964):
Electro-osmotic Increase of Reservoir Flow Rate
Electro-Chemical
USP4,043,884
Electrolytic Hydrogenation of Oil Shale
Kerogen is upgraded by extracting it from oil shale and treatment w/ reductive electrolysis.Sci. Technol. Oil Shale 1976, pp. 83-101
Electrolytic Oxidation & Reduction of Oil Shale
Almost all the higher hydrocarbons are removed by the process; about 73% of the hydrocarbons were oxidized & dissolved. See also: USP # 4,045,313 ( CA 87:143372 ).Report 1984, DOE/FE/60339-T2 Energy Res. Abstr. 10(1), Abstr # 8 (1985) (CA 102:169454 )
Electrochemical desulfurization w/ simultaneous production of H @ 75*, 1.2-1.3 V, almost 100% electrical efficiency, 53% removal of S. Addition of HI catalyzes reaction: 83% removal of S.US4,043,885
Electrolytic Removal of Pyrite from Oil Shale
75-95% of the total S is removed after 1-5 hr of electrolysis and 83-95% of S converted to sulfate.CA 85:49084 Fuel 55(1):75-78 (1976)
Electrolytic Removal of Pyrite from Oil Shale
Electrolytic treatment of kerogen concentrates removes pyrite. The process uses alkali existing in the shale as electrolyte.US4,045,313
Electrolytic Recovery of Bitumen from Oil Shale
About 75% of the organic hydrocarbons are oxidized & dissolved in the alkaline electrolyte.Proc. Electrochem. Soc. 84-5: 492-509 (1984)
Anodic Oxidation of Coal Slurries
Up to 50% of the lignite slurry in NaOH @ rm temp & electrolyzed (1.2 V) dissolved as humic acids (= fertilizer). An increase in potential (2.5 V) gave more humic acids. Higher potential decreases formation of humic acids. Other reaction products: CO2 & H @ anode & cathode, & removal of over 70% of total S.J. Electrochem. Soc. 128(10):2097-2102 (1981)
Electrolysis of Coal Slurries
"Coal slurry electrolysis as a method for cheap H evolution is not a good prospect, because of the low c.d. available after the removal of Fe. [Add Fe?]US4,043,881
Electrolytic Recovery of Oil From Retort Water
Electrolysis of shale oil retort water yields ammonia; 40-50% of the total residue and 80-90% of the organic chemicals were recovered at the anode. The COD value was reduced to 65%.US3,915,819
Electrolytic Purification of Oil
Sulfur is removed from crude oil and an electrolyte w/ low-V/High-A DC .USP555,511 Coal Battery
Coal logs (produced by LTC) in electrolyte (molten NaOH), bubbled w/ air: "Average electrical HP developed: 2.16 HP Average electrical HP used by air pump: 0.11 Average net electrical HP developed: 2.05 ... Carbon consumed in pots per electrical HP: 0.223 lb Coal consumed on grate per electrical HP: 0.336. "Total fuel consumed per electrical HP: 0.559 Electricity obtained from 1 lb of coal*: 1336 watt hours (32% of that theoretically obtainable) (* 0.4 lb in pots & 0.6 lb on grate). Thus the efficiency of this particular generator was 12 times greater than that of the average electric light and power plant in use in this country, and 40 times greater than plants of corresponding size.
Fuel 28(1):6-11 (1949) (CA 43:1664 ) Production of Electricity from Coal by Electrochemical Means
Electrostatics
Chem. Engg. Commun. 108: 49-66 (1991) (CA 116:43943 )
Electrostatic [ES] Beneficiation of Oil Shale
Oil shale pulverized to 5 microns can be completely liberated of mineral inclusions from the organic matrix by electrostatic treatment with a copper tribocharger. Kerogen is enriched from 12% in feed to 34% in the product stream.CIM Bull. 73(822): 51-61 (1980) (CA 88:194216 )
ES Beneficiation of Fluidized Coal
"Recoveries & ash contents of beneficiated coal are comparable to recoveries by water washing, but the dry process avoids potential water pollution problems".J. Powder Bulk Solids Technol. 1(3):22-26 (1977)
An ES separation tower & ES beneficiation loop were tested; yields coking concentrate high in vitrinite and low in pyrite & ash.J. Coal Res. Inst. (Jap.) 2:97-104 (1951) ibid., 3:11-16 (1952) (CA 49:7220 )
ES beneficiation w/ 30-35 KV produced a concentrate of coal.Suiyokaishi 15: 51-56 (1963):
ES Concentration of Coal
Low-Fe coal is attracted to the corona-discharge rollers & high ash/high-Fe coal is repelled.Feiberger Forschungsh. A326: 161-165 (1964):
ES Enrichment of Coal
The coal concentrate w/ low-ash/Fe is attracted to the grounded cylinder of a Huff separator. Coal particles w/ high ash/Fe are repelled in the corona field. "Separation is more effective in the corona field compared w/ that without corona discharge".Nenryo Kyokai-shi 48(512):869-876 (1969)
ES Separation of Coal
Coal was concentrated in a Huff-type electrostatic separator w/ or w/o corona discharge (15-20 KV) The recovery rate was >96% and the optimum relative humidity was nearly 60%.Braunkohlenarchiv. 56:29-48 (1949)
Up to 94% of metal impurities can be separated from powdered coal by ES treatment w/ 25 KV.Obogaschen. Polenz. Iskop., Akad. Nauk SSSR, Inst. Gorn. Dela 1960, pp 168-174
ES Separation of Large Particles from Coal
Pilot plant for electrostatic precipitation of large particles from coal fines. Grounded collector electrode, DC corona discharge. 90-95% efficiency.Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundamentals 1(1):48-52 (1962)
ES Mixing
ES forces produce an extremely fine dispersion w/o moving parts.Nauch. Soob. Inst. Gorn. Dela (Moscow) 45:31-38 (1968):
Electroseparation of Coals
Corona discharge separation of coking coal used for sulfonation gives simultaneous partial removal of coal impurities. Power consumption: 0.1 KW-br/metric ton. Efficiency: 90%