A method of forming graphite includes carbonizing an upgraded coal, to form a carbonized upgraded coal. The method also includes graphitizing the carbonized upgraded coal, to form the graphite.

A method of forming graphite includes carbonizing an upgraded coal, to form a carbonized upgraded coal. The method also includes graphitizing the carbonized upgraded coal, to form the graphite.

This alternative fuel is a reclaimed waste product which has a solid, particulate consistency at ambient temperature. The fuel comprises a composite of petroleum pitch and a powder coating. The powder coating penetrates into the surface of the pitch. The powder coating is recycled ash, pulverized coal, or pulverized petroleum coke.

A method of preparing non-volatile bituminous material in solid form includes first accessing molds having mold cavities defining an irregularly shaped brick having a plurality of non-planar surfaces and preparing the bituminous material for casting by heating it until it is suitably viscous for casting and optionally blending it with an additive. Then, the molds can be filled with the bituminous materials, preferably using a retractable conduit that progressively fills each mold cavity from its bottom to its top. Next, the bituminous material in the molds is solidified until substantially solid bricks are formed. Optionally, a skeleton with optional additional buoyant features can be placed in each mold cavity prior to casting so that the resulting brick has increased buoyancy throughout, and the skeleton and any buoyant features can be customized according to the needs of the customer. The resulting bricks can be removed for transport.

A briquette for use as a mineral charge in a cupola furnace for the production of mineral wool fibres is produced by combining: a) recycled waste mineral wool selected from i) waste mineral wool comprising uncured sugar containing binder, ii) waste mineral wool comprising cured binder, iii) waste mineral wool without binder and iv) combination thereof, b) cement, and c) additional sugar(s) to form a mouldable mixture and moulding and curing the mouldable mixture to form the briquette.

A briquette for use as a mineral charge in a cupola furnace for the production of mineral wool fibres is produced by combining: a) recycled waste mineral wool selected from i) waste mineral wool comprising uncured sugar containing binder, ii) waste mineral wool comprising cured binder, iii) waste mineral wool without binder and iv) combination thereof, b) cement, and c) additional sugar(s) to form a mouldable mixture and moulding and curing the mouldable mixture to form the briquette.

A process for comminuting particles of heterogeneous material. The particles of heterogeneous material are fragmented and broken into smaller particle size by breaking them against each other. Heterogeneous material means two or more different solid materials or phases in the same solid. The component materials may have different specific gravity and/or hardness. In the process, a slurry of particles of heterogeneous material is pumped through an agitated mixture of impingement media, wherein the impingement media has a size greater than a size of the particles, wherein adjacent impingement media interact to create impingement zones through which the particles pass and impinge each other to cause the particles to fracture and break into smaller particles. The impingement media may be from 5 to 10 times larger than the particles. The impingement media may be harder than the particles. The heterogeneous material may be coal.

A process for comminuting particles of heterogeneous material. The particles of heterogeneous material are fragmented and broken into smaller particle size by breaking them against each other. Heterogeneous material means two or more different solid materials or phases in the same solid. The component materials may have different specific gravity and/or hardness. In the process, a slurry of particles of heterogeneous material is pumped through an agitated mixture of impingement media, wherein the impingement media has a size greater than a size of the particles, wherein adjacent impingement media interact to create impingement zones through which the particles pass and impinge each other to cause the particles to fracture and break into smaller particles. The impingement media may be from 5 to 10 times larger than the particles. The impingement media may be harder than the particles. The heterogeneous material may be coal.

A method of processing coal 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 heated by conduction. A pressure in the vessel is reduced to below atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the coal, such that an average primary particle size of the coal is less than 1 millimeter. The reduced coal is shaped to yield a fuel composition.

A method of processing coal 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 heated by conduction. A pressure in the vessel is reduced to below atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the coal, such that an average primary particle size of the coal is less than 1 millimeter. The reduced coal is shaped to yield a fuel composition.