The present invention relates to a process for forming a fuel pellet, based on using a particular formula for making the fuel pellets. The process for forming a fuel pellet comprising of the following steps:

providing a particulate carbonaceous material having a particle size of <1 mm;

admixing the particulate carbonaceous material with a polysaccharide or a polyvinyl alcohol binder, and a crosslinker;

shaping the so-formed mixture to provide the fuel pellet.

The present invention relates to a pelletisable formula, and a process for using the formula for making fuel pellets. The pelletisable formula comprises a particulate carbonaceous material such as coal dust or coal fines of particle size <1 mm, a polysaccharide or a polyvinyl alcohol binder, and a crosslinker such as zirconium carbonate or sodium borate.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for agglomerating hydrophobic particles from a feed slurry. The method comprises adding a binder to a feed stream and conveying the feed stream and binder to an agglomerating device. The binder comprises 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance. A high shear is applied to the feed stream and the binder in the agglomerating device to cause the hydrophobic particles to collide and bind to the binder, thereby agglomerating the hydrophobic particles. The agglomerated hydrophobic particles and the binder are removed from the feed stream. A method and apparatus for dewatering an agglomerated product is also provided, the agglomerated product comprising agglomerated hydrophobic particles held together by a binder comprising 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance.

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.

The invention also provides a briquette comprising: (i) a particulate material; and (ii) a binder, the binder comprising (a) at least partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol and (b) an alkali metal alkyl siliconate or polyalkylsilicic acid; wherein the particulate material is selected from a carbonaceous material, metal, metal ore, mineral waste or a mixture thereof.

A combustible heat source for a smoking article is provided, including carbon and a binding agent. The binding agent includes a combination of three binder components: an organic polymeric binder material, a carboxylate burn salt, and at least one non-combustible inorganic binder material. The at least one non-combustible inorganic binder material includes a sheet silicate material. Preferably, the combustible heat source further includes an ignition aid.

A method for producing charcoal particles or pellets which use different additives as binders for the biochar pellets. The method includes producing a mixture with charcoal and additives selected from nanocrystalline cellulose, nanocrystalline fibrils, bentonite, and polyvinyl acetate. The mixture is created by mixing one or more of the additives with charcoal or bentonite. The mixture is then processed in a pelletizer device. While processing, the surface of the mixture is sprayed with a liquid. Once turned into pellets by way of the pelletizer device, the resulting pellets are then dried by applying heat to the pellets. The liquid can be water or a solution of water and sodium borate.

Pellet products, and associated systems, devices and methods are disclosed herein. A production system can include a heat processing assembly comprising an oven configured to process an input material at a processing temperature of at least 1,000? F. for a processing period to produce processed materials, and a pelletization assembly configured to pelletize at least some of the processed materials and one or more additives to generate the pellets. In some embodiments, individual pellets include two or more of coke, coke breeze, char, biochar, charcoal fines, biochar fines, or carbon-containing materials, and at least one of a binder or a cross-linker. A production method can include receiving an input material, processing the input material at a processing temperature of at least 1400? F. in an oven for a processing period to produce processed materials, and pelletizing at least some of the processed materials with one or more additives to produce the pellets.

A method for producing charcoal particles or pellets which use different additives as binders for the biochar pellets. The method includes producing a mixture with charcoal and additives selected from nanocrystalline cellulose, nanocrystalline fibrils, bentonite, and polyvinyl acetate. The mixture is created by mixing one or more of the additives with charcoal or bentonite. The mixture is then processed in a pelletizer device. While processing, the surface of the mixture is sprayed with a liquid. Once turned into pellets by way of the pelletizer device, the resulting pellets are then dried by applying heat to the pellets. The liquid can be water or a solution of water and sodium borate.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for agglomerating hydrophobic particles from a feed slurry. The method comprises adding a binder to a feed stream and conveying the feed stream and binder to an agglomerating device. The binder comprises 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance. A high shear is applied to the feed stream and the binder in the agglomerating device to cause the hydrophobic particles to collide and bind to the binder, thereby agglomerating the hydrophobic particles. The agglomerated hydrophobic particles and the binder are removed from the feed stream. A method and apparatus for dewatering an agglomerated product is also provided, the agglomerated product comprising agglomerated hydrophobic particles held together by a binder comprising 50% or more by volume of a non-hydrophobic substance.