A process for torrefaction of biomass is provided in which biomass are passed into a fluidized bed or a non-fluidized bed reactor and heated to a predetermined temperature in an oxidizing environment. The dried biomass is then fed to a cooler where the temperature of the product is reduced to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

A method for manufacturing dried combustible material includes: a mixing step of mixing a number of particles made of combustible material containing moisture and a dehydrating liquid made of an emulsion containing synthetic resin to form a mixture in which surfaces of the particles are made contact with the dehydrating liquid; and a drying step of forming a synthetic resin coating made of the dehydrating liquid dried on the surfaces of the particles and evaporating the moisture of the particles, to form coated particles including the particles having a reduced moisture content percentage and the synthetic resin coating that covers the surfaces of the particles, and produce dried combustible material made up of the coated particles.

A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

A process for torrefaction of biomass is provided in which biomass are passed into a fluidized bed or a non-fluidized bed reactor and heated to a predetermined temperature in an oxidizing environment. The dried biomass is then fed to a cooler where the temperature of the product is reduced to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

A pipeline transportation method of coal is provided. The coal is pulverized and then subjected to a waterproofing treatment, so that a time needed for precipitating the pulverized coal in water is longer than a time needed for transporting the pulverized coal by flowing water to a destination. The waterproof pulverized coal is transported by water through a pipeline. After reaching the destination, the waterproof pulverized coal can be separated from the water in a static pool, collected by a cyclone separator, and then stored in a warehouse.

Provided is a method of economically modifying low rank coal (LRC) to be high grade coal having minimized water re-absorption and minimized spontaneous ignition possibility while saving energy by coating heavy oil directly on coal without using solvent oil. Provides is a method of modifying coal using palm oil residue, including milling the coal, homogenously mixing the palm oil residue with the milled coal, melting the palm oil residue mixed with the coal so as to be coated on a surface of the coal, and simultaneously drying moisture in the coal, cooling the dried coal, and briquetting the cooled coal.

Solid fuel pellets or particles are coated with a diamond-like and/or graphitic coating to impart increased resistance to oxidation or other forms of degradation. An apparatus and method for producing solid fuel pellets or particles or other comminuted or particulate material that are coated with diamond-like and/or graphitic coatings employ plasma coating of the particles or comminuted material in a plasma chamber that has provision for agitating and/or stirring the particles during the plasma coating process. The gas feed to the plasma chamber may contain at least one organic carbon source.

Some variations provide a carbon-negative carbon product that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product, wherein the carbon-negative carbon product contains at least about 50 wt % carbon. In some embodiments, the carbon intensity is less than 500 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product. Other variations provide a carbon-negative metal product (e.g., a steel product) that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product, wherein the metal product contains from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of one or more metals and optionally one or more alloying elements. In some embodiments, the carbon-negative metal product is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 200 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product. The carbon-negative metal product can contain a wide variety of metals.

Some variations provide a carbon-negative carbon product that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product, wherein the carbon-negative carbon product contains at least about 50 wt % carbon. In some embodiments, the carbon intensity is less than 500 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative carbon product. Other variations provide a carbon-negative metal product (e.g., a steel product) that is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 0 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product, wherein the metal product contains from 50 wt % to 100 wt % of one or more metals and optionally one or more alloying elements. In some embodiments, the carbon-negative metal product is characterized by a carbon intensity less than 200 kg CO.sub.2e per metric ton of the carbon-negative metal product. The carbon-negative metal product can contain a wide variety of metals.

Upgraded coal, method of forming the same, and graphene films and quantum dots made therefrom. A method of upgrading coal includes cleaning coal to form a cleaned coal residue. The method also includes (A) reacting the cleaned coal residue with an oxidizable inorganic metallic agent, or (B) reacting the cleaned coal residue with a reducing agent, or a combination thereof, to form the upgraded coal.