A low-sulfur coal production method having an excellent desulfurization effect includes bringing coal into contact with a chemical material that is a mixed solution of hydrogen peroxide and acetic anhydride to remove sulfur in the coal. It is preferred that the molar ratio of the acetic anhydride to the hydrogen peroxide is 0.5 to 12.0 inclusive. It is preferred that the acetic anhydride is mixed with the hydrogen peroxide before the chemical material is brought into contact with the coal and the chemical material is brought into contact with the coal after 10 minutes or more has elapsed since the mixing.

According to the invention, there is provided a process for the beneficiation of coal discards by increasing calorific value and carbon content while removing inert mineral matter and sulphur compounds. The process involves the pretreatment of wash water with a non-ionic kinetically energized surface-active agent and the admixture with a fixed mass of raw coal discard to enhance hydrophobicity and carboniferous particle agglomeration. Processing of the resulting suspension though a dedicated series of spiral separators and high frequency, resonance sieves reliably reduces excessive levels of mineral ash and sulphur compounds.

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.

In some variations, the invention provides a biocarbon pellet comprising: 35 wt % to 99 wt % of a biogenic reagent, wherein the biogenic reagent comprises, on a dry basis, at least 60 wt % carbon; 0 wt % to 35 wt % water moisture; and 1 wt % to 30 wt % of a binder, wherein the biocarbon pellet is characterized by an adjustable Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) from about 30 to about 120, as shown in the Examples. The pellet HGI is adjustable by controlling process conditions and the pellet binder. The binder can be an organic binder or an inorganic binder. The carbon is renewable as determined from a measurement of the .sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio. Many processes of making and using the biocarbon pellets are described. Applications of the biocarbon pellets include pulverized coal boilers, furnaces for making metals such as iron or silicon, and gasifiers for producing reducing gas.

In some variations, the invention provides a biocarbon pellet comprising: 35 wt % to 99 wt % of a biogenic reagent, wherein the biogenic reagent comprises, on a dry basis, at least 60 wt % carbon; 0 wt % to 35 wt % water moisture; and 1 wt % to 30 wt % of a binder, wherein the biocarbon pellet is characterized by an adjustable Hardgrove Grindability Index (HGI) from about 30 to about 120, as shown in the Examples. The pellet HGI is adjustable by controlling process conditions and the pellet binder. The binder can be an organic binder or an inorganic binder. The carbon is renewable as determined from a measurement of the .sup.14C/.sup.12C isotopic ratio. Many processes of making and using the biocarbon pellets are described. Applications of the biocarbon pellets include pulverized coal boilers, furnaces for making metals such as iron or silicon, and gasifiers for producing reducing gas.

The present application provides charcoal briquettes infused with a flammable composition including fusel oil and/or one or more dehydration products of fusel oil and the flammable compositions including one or more dehydration products of fusel oil.

A method and a system for improving the GHG emission reduction performance of fuels, heating mediums and combustion materials and for enriching agricultural land with C-containing humus.

According to the invention, there is provided a process for the beneficiation of coal discards by increasing calorific value and carbon content while removing inert mineral matter and sulphur compounds. The process involves the pretreatment of wash water with a non-ionic kinetically energized surface-active agent and the admixture with a fixed mass of raw coal discard to enhance hydrophobicity and carboniferous particle agglomeration. Processing of the resulting suspension though a dedicated series of spiral separators and high frequency, resonance sieves reliably reduces excessive levels of mineral ash and sulphur compounds.

Solid fuel starter, including its manufacturing method, that utilizes agricultural biomass that displays high level of absorbency is provided. The anatomy of the typical biomass material, like corn cob, consists of several segments: a pith portion which includes a sponge like tissue infiltrated with a heating agent; a woody ring portion which surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the pith portion and maintains the rigidity of a body of the rapid flame starter; and a chaff portion which extends from the woody ring portion and includes an amorphous mane-like shell formed thereon. With an appropriate manufacturing technique, this type of agricultural biomass can be transformed into an efficient and rapid flame starter.

A bio emulsion fuel manufacturing apparatus and method using vegetable oil is provided, including an oil tank unit configured to refine a vegetable oil introduced from an oil inlet by using a coagulant agent and a centrifugal decanter; a water tank unit configured to pretreat a water introduced from a water inlet by using a water tank catalyst; a mixed oil unit connected to the oil tank unit and the water tank unit, and configured to produce a mixed oil by using an inline mixer; and an ionization catalyst unit connected to the mixed oil unit and configured to convert the mixed oil to a bio emulsion fuel by using an ionization catalyst group.