A method of preparing a fuel composition includes placing coal having a heat content between about 3,000 BTU/lb and about 9,000 BTU/lb and a moisture content between about 20 wt % and about 60 wt % in a vessel. The coal is exposed to heat and a pressure less than atmospheric pressure within the vessel, thereby reducing the coal, such that an average primary particle size of the coal is less than 1 millimeter. A binder is introduced to the vessel, such that the coal combines with the binder to yield a mixture. The mixture is shaped to yield a fuel composition.

Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.

Fine coal is cleaned of its mineral matter impurities and dewatered by mixing the aqueous slurry containing both with a hydrophobic liquid, subjecting the mixture to a phase separation. The resulting hydrophobic liquid phase contains coal particles free of surface moisture and droplets of water stabilized by coal particles, while the aqueous phase contains the mineral matter. By separating the entrained water droplets from the coal particles mechanically, a clean coal product of substantially reduced mineral matter and moisture contents is obtained. The spent hydrophobic liquid is separated from the clean coal product and recycled. The process can also be used to separate one type of hydrophilic particles from another by selectively hydrophobizing one.

A method of manufacturing a molded solid fuel including: a pulverization for pulverizing low-grade coal; a mixing for obtaining a slurry by mixing the pulverized low-grade coal and a solvent oil; a dehydration for obtaining a dehydrated slurry by heating and dehydrating the slurry; a solid-liquid separation for obtaining a cake by separating the solvent oil from the dehydrated slurry; a drying for obtaining powdery modified coal by heating the cake and further separating the solvent oil from the cake; and a molding for pressurizing and molding the powdery modified coal by using a molding machine, without the addition/mixture of a binder. In the molding, a coolant is sprayed onto the surface of the molding machine, and the surface temperature of the molding machine is kept equal to or below 100° C.

A method of manufacturing a molded solid fuel including: a pulverization for pulverizing low-grade coal; a mixing for obtaining a slurry by mixing the pulverized low-grade coal and a solvent oil; a dehydration for obtaining a dehydrated slurry by heating and dehydrating the slurry; a solid-liquid separation for obtaining a cake by separating the solvent oil from the dehydrated slurry; a drying for obtaining powdery modified coal by heating the cake and further separating the solvent oil from the cake; and a molding for pressurizing and molding the powdery modified coal by using a molding machine, without the addition/mixture of a binder. In the molding, a coolant is sprayed onto the surface of the molding machine, and the surface temperature of the molding machine is kept equal to or below 100° C.

A method of processing raw coal using activation agents (e.g., solvents and extractants) in a high shear reactor, which creates high shearing forces to break apart the coal and selectively extract and remove contaminants such as ash, sulfur, and other heavy metal impurities resulting in clean, high caloric-value coal.

A method of processing raw coal using activation agents (e.g., solvents and extractants) in a high shear reactor, which creates high shearing forces to break apart the coal and selectively extract and remove contaminants such as ash, sulfur, and other heavy metal impurities resulting in clean, high caloric-value coal.

A system for separating coal from iron oxide and sulfur comprises a first tank having crusher to grind the coal. Steam is directed into the first tank to mix with the coal to produce a maximum substrate area for chemolithotrophic bacteria and algal species to act upon. A mechanical pulverizer is fed with the coal and steam. A sieve and a second tank receiving the coal from the pulverizer apparatus. An air exchanger connected to the second tank collects nanosized particulates of coal. A pipeline feeds the coal within the second tank with a mixture of chemolithophic bacteria from a breeding tank. A holding tank receives the mixture of coal and chemolithophic bacteria. A centrifuge receives the mixture of coal and chemolithophic bacteria from the holding tank and separates the coal from the mixture. A fourth tank receive the separated and hydrated coal particles from the centrifuge.

A system for separating coal from iron oxide and sulfur comprises a first tank having crusher to grind the coal. Steam is directed into the first tank to mix with the coal to produce a maximum substrate area for chemolithotrophic bacteria and algal species to act upon. A mechanical pulverizer is fed with the coal and steam. A sieve and a second tank receiving the coal from the pulverizer apparatus. An air exchanger connected to the second tank collects nanosized particulates of coal. A pipeline feeds the coal within the second tank with a mixture of chemolithophic bacteria from a breeding tank. A holding tank receives the mixture of coal and chemolithophic bacteria. A centrifuge receives the mixture of coal and chemolithophic bacteria from the holding tank and separates the coal from the mixture. A fourth tank receive the separated and hydrated coal particles from the centrifuge.

A modified carbon material, including a carbonaceous material and a water-insoluble modifier combined with the carbonaceous material, wherein the water-insoluble modifier is CuO, the carbonaceous material is one of or a mixture of biomass carbon or carbon black, a mass of the water-insoluble modifier is being 0.1-10 wt % of the carbonaceous material. The method for preparing the modified carbon material includes: (1) soaking the carbonaceous material in a copper sulfate solution for 5 to 36 hours, and (2) adding an alkali solution into a solution obtained in step (1) to provide a pH value ≥12, and after keeping the pH value for 0.5 to 2 hours, filtering and drying to obtain a solid. (3) using the carbonaceous material as a combustion heat source to reduce the ignition temperature, increase or reduce the peak thermal power temperature.