Processes are provided for the oxidative solubilization of metal-containing petroleum cokes in a basic aqueous solution, so as to segregate a solid metal-containing residue from a solubilized and demineralized organics fraction. Oxidation conditions are provided that optimize the yield of soluble partial oxidation products and minimize the generation of CO.sub.2. In some embodiments, a nanocrystalline copper tetrasilicate oxidation catalyst belonging to the Gillespite group of minerals may be used (Cuprorivaite (CaCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), Wesselsite (SrCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), Effenbergerite (BaCuSi.sub.4O.sub.10), or combinations thereof). The pH of the solubilized organics fraction may be reduced, under conditions that precipitate an upgraded carbonaceous material, in some embodiments comprising humic acid analogs, yielding a barren leachate solution.

A system for producing biomass pellets comprising a pan mill for comminuting a biomass material, a treatment means in which the comminuted biomass material is treated with an oxidizing reactant and a pellet press for pressing pellets from the treated biomass material. The invention further relates to an associated process. The intention is to initiate during pellet production oxidation reactions which can otherwise result in autoignition of the pellets in pellet heaps.

A system for producing biomass pellets comprising a pan mill for comminuting a biomass material, a treatment means in which the comminuted biomass material is treated with an oxidizing reactant and a pellet press for pressing pellets from the treated biomass material. The invention further relates to an associated process. The intention is to initiate during pellet production oxidation reactions which can otherwise result in autoignition of the pellets in pellet heaps.

An oil-coal co-hydrotreating processing includes the following steps: pulverized coal, vacuum residue and recycle oil are mixed to prepare coal slurry. After mixed with hydrogen, catalyst and additive, oil-coal slurry is preheated into a slurry bed reactor with high reacting pressure for thermal cracking and hydrogenation reaction. After reaction, all the products go into the hot high pressure separator for separation of solid from the bottom and gas from the top. The gas obtained goes into the fixed bed reactor for further hydrocracking or refining, and the distillate obtained enter the fractionating tower. The vacuum gas oil from the bottom of fractionating tower is taken as recycle oil piped to the oil-coal slurry mixing device as solvent.

An oil-coal co-hydrotreating processing includes the following steps: pulverized coal, vacuum residue and recycle oil are mixed to prepare coal slurry. After mixed with hydrogen, catalyst and additive, oil-coal slurry is preheated into a slurry bed reactor with high reacting pressure for thermal cracking and hydrogenation reaction. After reaction, all the products go into the hot high pressure separator for separation of solid from the bottom and gas from the top. The gas obtained goes into the fixed bed reactor for further hydrocracking or refining, and the distillate obtained enter the fractionating tower. The vacuum gas oil from the bottom of fractionating tower is taken as recycle oil piped to the oil-coal slurry mixing device as solvent.

A method of charging and/or discharging energy in reusable fuel workpieces or particles includes a solar furnace with counter-flowing workpieces and gas, to exchange heat therebetween, with the exiting gas and workpieces being at about ambient temperature. A further aspect employs a production plant including a reduction reactor configured to use excess electrical energy generated by renewable power generators to charge and/or discharge solid-state thermochemical fuel. Another aspect includes a fuel flow control valve using air pulses. An oxygen-deprived and reusable fuel, such as magnesium manganese oxide, or magnesium iron oxide, is also provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for producing a solid-state fuel includes a reduction reactor including a reactor chamber configured to receive concentrated solar energy, and a reactor tube having a recuperation zone, a reduction zone, and a quenching zone, wherein the reduction zone passes through the reactor chamber. A discharged solid-state fuel is configured to be fed down the reactor tube and a low-oxygen gas is configured to flow up the reactor tube.

A method of charging and/or discharging energy in reusable fuel workpieces or particles includes a solar furnace with counter-flowing workpieces and gas, to exchange heat therebetween, with the exiting gas and workpieces being at about ambient temperature. A further aspect employs a production plant including a reduction reactor configured to use excess electrical energy generated by renewable power generators to charge and/or discharge solid-state thermochemical fuel. Another aspect includes a fuel flow control valve using air pulses. An oxygen-deprived and reusable fuel, such as magnesium manganese oxide, or magnesium iron oxide, is also provided. In another aspect, an apparatus for producing a solid-state fuel includes a reduction reactor including a reactor chamber configured to receive concentrated solar energy, and a reactor tube having a recuperation zone, a reduction zone, and a quenching zone, wherein the reduction zone passes through the reactor chamber. A discharged solid-state fuel is configured to be fed down the reactor tube and a low-oxygen gas is configured to flow up the reactor tube.

Provided is an oxidation equipment for oxidizing a raw material containing at least one of carbonized coal and a torrefied biomass, the oxidation equipment including: a main body unit forming a fluidized bed; a gas supply unit supplying an oxygen-containing gas so that the raw material flows; a gas discharge unit discharging gas which has passed through the fluidized bed; a cooling unit cooling an oxidized product obtained by oxidizing the raw material; and a delivery unit delivering the oxidized product from the cooling unit, in which the main body unit has a first pressure measurement unit in a freeboard portion and a second pressure measurement unit in a portion through which the fluidized bed passes, and the delivery unit has a delivery amount control unit that controls the delivery amount of the oxidized product based on a differential pressure of the first and second pressure measurement units.

Provided is an oxidation equipment for oxidizing a raw material containing at least one of carbonized coal and a torrefied biomass, the oxidation equipment including: a main body unit forming a fluidized bed; a gas supply unit supplying an oxygen-containing gas so that the raw material flows; a gas discharge unit discharging gas which has passed through the fluidized bed; a cooling unit cooling an oxidized product obtained by oxidizing the raw material; and a delivery unit delivering the oxidized product from the cooling unit, in which the main body unit has a first pressure measurement unit in a freeboard portion and a second pressure measurement unit in a portion through which the fluidized bed passes, and the delivery unit has a delivery amount control unit that controls the delivery amount of the oxidized product based on a differential pressure of the first and second pressure measurement units.

A continuous process and apparatus for treating dried coal and coal char to promote passivation of the reactive carbon particles by forming a protective oxide coating and simultaneously adding moisture to rehydrate said particles. The passivation process is conducted in a novel apparatus providing for the staged control of the reaction temperature and the staged introduction of both oxygen and moisture. The fluidized bed apparatus has internal in-bed cooling means embedded within the fluidized coal or coal char particles so as to remove the heat energy as it is released by virtue of the exothermic passivation reactions.