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 method for manufacturing a coal additive that is added to coal as a solid fuel to microgranulate and uniformize the coal, thereby increasing the combustion area of the coal, leading to a decrease in combustion time and a reduction in unburned carbon generation. A raw material for the coal additive is prepared as a liquid phase by placing, in a container, a fermented liquid, which is an extract obtained from the incubation of fermenting bacteria (enzyme) in fruit residues, and an emulsion of metal ions and bentonite or gelrite, followed by mixing. Coal may be subjected to microgranulation and uniformization as a solid fuel by addition of the liquefied additive to the coal. The degree of coal powder is improved to increase combustion area, thereby shortening combustion time and reducing generation of unburned carbon, leading to increasing energy efficiency, which is environmentally friendly and safe and has remarkable effects.

A method for treating petroleum, petroleum fraction, or natural gas, the process comprising: adding a) a first component which is selected from material, particularly roots, of a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza, and/or an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and b) a second component which is selected from a plant material or -ingredient comprising plastids, algae and/or cyanobacteria,
to the petroleum, petroleum fraction, or natural gas.

A method for treating carbonaceous material, the method includes a) providing a carbonaceous material CM, b) subjecting the carbonaceous material CM to hydrothermal gasification in a HTG reactor, thereby producing: an inorganic solid residue, a first gaseous fraction G1 comprising CH.sub.4, CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2, and a filtrate F1 containing readily biodegradable carbons such as VFAs, c) subjecting at least part of the filtrate F1 to an anaerobic treatment step in an anaerobic tank, leading to a digestate. An installation for treating carbonaceous material is also provided.

Fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants made of or comprising a portion of renewable hydrocarbon raw materials, as well as biodegradable fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants are known to support microbial growth. Highly toxicorganic biocides have been added to reduce microbial growth. The use of such biocides can now be avoided, by instead using a stable solution of boric acid in a solvent, the boric acid being completely dissolved or at least free from any particles larger than 100 nm in size, and adding this solution to the fuel, hydraulic fluid or lubricant to give a final concentration of boron in the range of 1-100 ppm, preferably 1-50 ppm in the product. While preventing microbial growth, the addition of boron also reduces corrosion, in particular microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).

Emissions of mercury, NOx, and/or SOx are reduced by enzyme treating coal before combustion, optionally with further treatment of the coal with certain non-bromine containing powder sorbents. y using the steps together, mercury can be reduced by 40% or more, and NOx by 20% or more. Advantageously, no bromine is introduced with the remediation steps.

An emulsion comprising water and an immiscible predominantly hydrocarbon-based liquid, wherein the emulsion further comprises at least one protein for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, said protein containing or being capable of binding to one of: a monosaccharide and an oligosaccharide. Uses of the invention include, but are not limited to: applications in oil well/fracking operations where it is necessary or desirable to neutralise bacteria in the extracted liquid; as an additive emulsion for bio-diesel to reduce emissions, such as NOx etc.; and as an additive in the water of heating/cooling systems for its biocidal properties.

A method for treating petroleum, petroleum fraction, or natural gas, the process comprising:

adding a) a first component which is selected from material, particularly roots, of a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza, and/or an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and b) a second component which is selected from a plant material or -ingredient comprising plastids, algae and/or cyanobacteria,
to the petroleum, petroleum fraction, or natural gas.

The invention provides a method for generating a solid wood-based material and a hemicellulose-derived material from a wood raw material, said method comprising; i) treating the wood raw material under aqueous conditions at elevated temperature and pressure whereby to generate a hemicellulose-containing fluid component and a solid component; ii) separating said fluid component from said solid component; iii) processing at least a part of said solid component into a solid wood-based material; and iv) processing said liquid component into a hemicellulose-derived material. The invention also provides for a wood-derived fuel with a low ash content.

Fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants made of or comprising a portion of renewable hydrocarbon raw materials, as well as biodegradable fuels, hydraulic fluids and lubricants are known to support microbial growth. Highly toxicorganic biocides have been added to reduce microbial growth. The use of such biocides can now be avoided, by instead using a stable solution of boric acid in a solvent, the boric acid being completely dissolved or at least free from any particles larger than 100 nm in size, and adding this solution to the fuel, hydraulic fluid or lubricant to give a final concentration of boron in the range of 1-100 ppm, preferably 1-50 ppm in the product. While preventing microbial growth, the addition of boron also reduces corrosion, in particular microbiologically induced corrosion (MIC).