JP2009532533A - Method and system for improving solid fuel properties - Google Patents

Abstract

In embodiments of the present invention, starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics of a solid fuel processed by a solid fuel processing facility can be provided, and desired solid fuel characteristics can be provided. The starting solid fuel sample data for one or more characteristics can be compared with the desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a solid fuel composition difference, operating process parameters for the operation of the solid fuel processing facility can be determined, and at least partially The solid fuel can be cleaned on the basis of the difference in the composition of the solid fuel, and during the processing of the solid fuel and the adjustment of the operation processing parameters for it, the pollutants released from the solid fuel are monitored to obtain a clean solid fuel. An improved capability for a method of cleaning solid fuel that can be created is described.

Description

(Citation of related application)
This application claims priority to the following US provisional patent applications, each application incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 788,297 (2006) No. 60 / 820,482 (filed Jul. 26, 2006), No. 60 / 828,031 (filed Oct. 3, 2006), No. 60 / 867,749. No. (filed on November 29, 2006).

(Technical field of the invention)
The present invention relates to solid fuel processing, and more specifically to solid fuel processing using microwaves to remove contaminants.

  The presence of varying amounts of moisture, ash, sulfur, and other substances in any solid fuel generally results in fuel combustion parameter mismatch and contamination produced by the combustion process. Solid fuel combustion may result in the production of toxic gases such as nitrous oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). In addition, the combustion of solid fuels may result in the production of inorganic ash with additional material elements. The amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced as a result of solid fuel combustion may contribute to global warming. Each of these by-products is produced at various levels depending on the quality of the solid fuel used.

  Various processes, such as cleaning, air drying, rotary drying, and heating, are used in solid fuel processing to remove some of the unwanted material present in the solid fuel. These processes may require the solid fuel to be crushed, ground, or processed to a size that is not optimal for the end user. In order to further reduce emissions, exhaust scrubbers may be used in combustion facilities. There is a need to further reduce the emissions of harmful substances produced as a result of solid fuel combustion and to reduce the costs associated with controlling such emissions.

  One aspect of the invention relates to the step of cleaning the solid fuel based at least in part on the initial state of the solid fuel. In an embodiment, the solid fuel is tested or sampled to generate an initial data set for the starting characteristics of the fuel. The target or final (processed) fuel characteristics can be known, and the process can be set, monitored, and / or adjusted for the initial characteristics and the target characteristics. The methods and systems described herein provide starting solid fuel sample data and desired solid fuel characteristics as inputs to determine a product difference between the start and end of the product; To determine the operating process parameters that produce the processed product, to compare and combine inputs against the capacity of the solid fuel processing facility, and to control the processing of the product in the solid fuel processing facility Communicating operational parameters to the monitoring facility and the control device.

One aspect of the invention relates to feeding back information about the treated solid fuel to a solid fuel processing facility to further adjust the process. The methods and systems disclosed herein can include testing a solid fuel after a cleaning process, and then feeding back information about the test to the processing facility. The solid fuel output parameter facility can receive the final processed solid fuel characteristic from the post-processing test facility, the characteristic can represent the final manufactured processed solid fuel, and the solid fuel output parameter is final processed The solid fuel characteristics can be communicated to the monitoring facility, which can compare the final treated solid fuel characteristics with the desired solid fuel characteristics for determination of adjustment of the solid fuel processing operating parameters, and the final Adjustments made to the treated solid fuel characteristics can be added to the adjustment of any other solid fuel operating parameters.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include a solid fuel continuous feed processing facility that is controlled by operating parameters. The controller can provide solid fuel processing operating parameters to components of a continuous feed processing facility such as a transport belt, microwave system, sensor, collection system, preheating facility, cooling facility, and the like. The continuous feed processing facility sensor can measure solid fuel processing processes, component operation, environmental conditions of the continuous feed processing facility, and steps to communicate measured information to the controller and monitoring facility. The monitoring facility can compare the measured information with the solid fuel processing operating parameters and adjust the operating parameters. The adjusted operating parameters can be provided to the controller of the continuous supply processing facility.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include monitoring and adjusting the processing of solid fuel using the generated processing parameters and sensor inputs. The method and system may involve receiving operational process parameters from a parameter generation facility for control of solid fuel processing in a continuous feed processing facility. The method and system may involve monitoring and adjusting operational process parameters based on input from sensors in a continuous feed process facility. The method and system can involve providing adjusted operating process parameters to the controller, which provides the operating parameters to the components of the continuous feed process facility.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include sensors used to measure the operational performance of a solid fuel belt facility. Solid fuel processing belt facility sensors can measure products released from solid fuel, such as moisture, sulfur, ash, and the like. A solid fuel continuous feed processing facility sensor can measure operating parameters of the components of the continuous feed processing facility used to process the solid fuel. The sensor can communicate the measured information to the controller, monitoring facility, and pricing / trading facility of the continuous supply processing facility. The sensor information of the released product can be used by the monitoring equipment and control device to adjust the operating parameters of the belt equipment. The component operational sensor information can be used by the pricing / trading facility to determine operational costs.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include controlling solid fuel processing using a continuous real-time operational parameter feedback loop. The method and system may involve providing component parameters from the parameter generation facility to the controller of the continuous feed processing facility. The controller of the continuous supply processing facility can apply the component parameters to operate various processing components for proper processing of the solid fuel. Belt facility sensors can measure various operations and solid fuel release products and communicate the measurement information to the monitoring facility. The monitoring facility can adjust solid fuel processing parameters by comparing sensor measurements and operating requirements, and the monitoring facility can communicate the adjusted parameters to the controller. The controller / sensor / monitor adjustment loop may be continuous in a real time feedback loop to maintain the desired final treated solid fuel.

The methods and systems disclosed herein can include monitoring and controlling the operation of a solid fuel microwave system. A set of operating parameters of the microwave system, such as frequency, power, and duty cycle, can be controlled by the belt facility controller during solid fuel processing. The microwave system output and the solid fuel emission products can be measured by sensors to determine the effectiveness of the microwave parameters and the measurements can be communicated to the monitoring facility. The monitoring facility can adjust the microwave system operating parameters (eg, parameter generating facility) based on a comparison of the measured information of the sensors and the required operating requirements. The investigated microwave operating parameters can be transmitted to the microwave system by the controller of the continuous feed processing facility.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein may include controlled removal of solid fuel emission products using a solid fuel continuous feed processing facility. The set of sensors can measure the amount or rate of release of the solid fuel release product. A set of sensors can communicate release product information and provide removal rate information to the controller and monitoring facility. The set of sensors can communicate the rate of removal of the released product to the pricing facility, which can determine the price of the released product or the cost of disposing of the released product.

  One aspect of the present invention relates to a conveyor that operates in a continuous supply processing facility. The conveyor can carry the solid fuel through the processing facility while the solid fuel is being processed (eg, carrying coal through a microwave energy field). A method and system for providing a conveyor facility may involve configuring it to transport solid fuel through the processing facility. The conveyor can include a combination of features such as low microwave loss, high wear resistance, sustained high temperature resistance, thermal insulation, dissolution resistance, high melting point, non-porous, and resistance to heat dissipation. The conveyor facility may be a substantially continuous belt. The conveyor facility can include a plurality of flexibly connected raised sections.

  Aspects of the invention relate to solid fuel processing methods and systems. Embodiments of the invention relate to a conveyor belt configured to move solid fuel (eg, coal) through a processing facility. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility is configured to process solid fuel by processing through a microwave field. In an embodiment, the conveyor system is configured to provide resilient operation, particularly when used in conjunction with a solid fuel processing process.

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for transporting solid fuel through a solid fuel processing facility. The system and method can involve providing a conveyor facility configured to transport solid fuel through the solid fuel microwave processing facility. In an embodiment, the conveyor equipment has low microwave loss, high wear resistance, sustained high temperature resistance, local high temperature resistance, thermal insulation, dissolution resistance, high melting point, non-porous to particles, non-porous to moisture, And at least one or a combination of features, such as resistance to heat dissipation, or other features such as creating a resilient conveyor facility.

  In an embodiment, the conveyor facility is a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be a substantially adjacent belt. The conveyor belt may comprise a plurality of rigid sections that are flexibly connected together. In other embodiments, the conveyor is another physical facility intended to transport solid fuel through a continuous or substantially continuous processing process.

In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility may be a microwave processing facility, and other systems such as heating, cleaning, gasification, combustion, and steam processing may be passed through to process the solid fuel as well. . The conveyor facility may be made of a low microwave loss material. For example, it can be configured to have a low loss between microwave frequencies of about 300 MHz to about 1 GHz. The conveyor facility may be resistant to sustained high temperatures. For example, it may be resistant to sustained temperatures in the range of about 200 ° F. or higher. The conveyor facility may be resistant to high local temperatures. For example, it may be resistant to local temperatures above about 600 ° F. There are many other conveyor equipment attributes and materials and processes for managing the conveyor systems disclosed herein.

  One aspect of the invention relates to an improved method and system for operating a microwave-generated magnetron associated with a continuous feed solid fuel processing facility. The methods and systems disclosed herein provide a direct utility high voltage transmission supply to avoid steps of stepping down the voltage (eg, at a substation) and then increasing again (eg, for use in a magnetron). And powering the magnetron via. The power system can comprise providing a high voltage power conversion facility that can be configured to receive the high voltage alternating current and deliver the high voltage direct current.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein relate to direct high voltage utilization by receiving high voltage alternating current from a high power distribution facility, directly generating high voltage direct current from high voltage alternating current, and a continuous supply solid fuel processing facility. Applying a high voltage direct current to the magnetron.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein relate to direct high voltage utilization by receiving high voltage alternating current from a high power distribution facility, converting high voltage alternating current to high voltage direct current, and a continuous supply solid fuel processing facility. Applying high voltage direct current to the magnetron, and high power distribution equipment can be protected by non-converting inductor equipment in conjunction with a high speed circuit breaker.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include transaction pricing for solid fuel processing using processing feedback. The trading facility may receive solid fuel processing operational information from a solid fuel facility system, such as a monitoring facility, sensor, removal system, solid fuel output parameter facility, or the like. The trading facility may be able to determine the operating cost of the final treated solid fuel using the operating information of the system. Costs can include power requirements for various solid processing belt equipment components, solid fuel emission products collected in the removal system, inert gases used, and the like. The trading facility can determine the final price of the processed solid fuel by adding the processing cost to the starting cost of the raw solid fuel.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include modeling the costs associated with processing solid fuel for a particular end-use facility. The method and system provides a set of solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples, a set of solid fuel substrates used by a set of end-use facilities, and converts a solid fuel sample into a solid fuel substrate for use by an end user Providing a set of operating parameters used to provide a database containing a set of solid fuels associated with the implementation of the set of operating parameters. The method and system includes identifying a solid fuel characteristic for a specified starting solid fuel sample, identifying a specification of the solid fuel substrate used by the end-use facility, and converting the solid fuel sample to a solid fuel substrate The method may further include recovering a set of operating parameters associated with the step from the database and recovering a set of costs associated with the set of operating parameters from the database.

The methods and systems disclosed herein can include transactions involving the steps of producing a solid fuel suitable for the selected end use facility. The method and system are selected by obtaining a specification from a selected end-use facility for a solid fuel substrate, comparing the specification with a set of characteristics for the starting solid fuel sample, and processing the starting solid fuel sample. Determining the operating process parameters to convert to a solid fuel substrate that meets specifications from the end-use facility, processing the starting solid fuel sample according to the operating process parameters, and measuring the characteristics of the solid fuel substrate And a step of calculating a price for the solid fuel substrate.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein include a database for solid fuel processing, a set of solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples, a set of specifications for a solid fuel substrate used by a set of end use equipment, and a solid fuel. And a set of operating parameters used to convert the sample to a solid fuel substrate used by the end-use facility.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include editing a database for solid fuel processing. The method and system includes the steps of aggregating a set of solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples, aggregating a set of specifications for a solid fuel substrate used by a set of end-use facilities, and a solid fuel sample for an end user. And aggregating a set of operating parameters used to convert to a solid fuel substrate for use.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include generating solid fuel processing parameters based on desired final processed characteristics. The method and system provide an input of starting solid fuel sample data and desired solid fuel characteristics for a selected end use facility as input, and operates to produce a treated solid fuel suitable for the selected end use facility. Compare and combine inputs to the solid fuel treatment facility's ability to determine the processing parameters and communicate the operational parameters to the monitoring facility and controller to control the processing of the product in the solid fuel treatment facility Steps may be involved.

  The methods and systems disclosed herein can include producing a solid fuel suitable for a selected end use facility. The method and system includes determining a first set of characteristics for a starting solid fuel sample, identifying a set of characteristics for an output solid fuel suitable for a selected end use facility, and processing the starting solid fuel sample. Determining an operating process parameter for conversion to an output solid fuel suitable for the selected end-use facility, and processing a starting solid fuel sample according to the operating process parameter, thereby The starting solid fuel sample can be converted to an output solid fuel suitable for the selected end use facility.

  A method and system includes gasifying a solid fuel by selecting a solid fuel suitable for gasification, identifying the characteristics of the solid fuel for gasification, and solid fuel relative to the solid fuel based on the characteristics for gasification. Determining process operating parameters, processing solid fuel using the operating parameters to release gas, and collecting gas released during processing of the solid fuel. Solid fuel should be processed using microwave technology, processed using heating technology, processed using pressure, processed using steam, or the like Can do. The gas may be synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or the like.

  The method and system includes solid fuel gasification by selecting a solid fuel suitable for gasification, determining solid fuel processing operating parameters based on gasification requirements from an end user, and releasing the gas. For this purpose, the method may include processing the solid fuel using the operating parameters and collecting gas released during the processing of the solid fuel. The end user may be a power generation facility, a chemical facility, a fuel cell facility, or the like. Solid fuel should be processed using microwave technology, processed using heating technology, processed using pressure, processed using steam, or the like Can do. The gas may be synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or the like.

  The method and system includes gasifying a solid fuel by selecting a solid fuel suitable for gasification, determining solid fuel processing operating parameters based on the gasification requirements, and operating parameters to release the gas. Using to process the solid fuel and collecting gas released during the processing of the solid fuel. The gasification requirement can include obtaining a preselected amount of gas. The gasification requirement can include obtaining a preselected gas. Solid fuel should be processed using microwave technology, processed using heating technology, processed using pressure, processed using steam, or the like Can do. The gas may be synthesis gas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or the like.

  The method and system includes liquefaction of a solid fuel by selecting a solid fuel suitable for liquefaction, identifying characteristics of the solid fuel for liquefaction, and determining solid fuel processing operating parameters for the solid fuel based on the characteristics for liquefaction. Determining, processing the solid fuel using operating parameters to produce the desired liquid, and collecting the desired liquid. The operating parameters can include using a Fischer-Tropsch process, using a Bergius process, using a direct hydrogenation process, using a low temperature carbonization (LTC) process, or the like.

  The method and system includes solid fuel processing by selecting a solid fuel for processing, identifying solid fuel characteristics, determining solid fuel processing operation parameters for the solid fuel based on the characteristics, and Processing the solid fuel using the operating parameter, the operating parameter can include preheating the solid fuel, and the operating parameter can include post-heating the solid fuel. it can.

  A system for integrated solid fuel processing removes contaminants from the solid fuel and produces a solid fuel continuous source that produces a clean solid fuel energy source (eg, coal that is cleaned using a continuous feed microwave processing facility). Supply processing facilities and solid fuel utilization facilities (for example, power plants, steelworks, etc.) co-installed with solid fuel treatment facilities, in which case the clean solid fuel energy source is at the joint utilization facility Used as an energy source. The solid fuel treatment facility can provide the treated solid fuel directly to a solid fuel utilization facility or the like. A solid fuel processing facility may indirectly provide a treated solid fuel to a solid fuel utilization facility or the like. The solid fuel utilization facility can request a specific solid fuel treatment from the solid fuel treatment facility. Certain solid fuel treatments can produce certain solid fuel energy sources for solid fuel utilization facilities. Certain solid fuel processing can produce certain non-solid fuel products for solid fuel utilization facilities. Certain solid fuel treatments can produce unique properties in solid fuels. The solid fuel energy source may be syngas, hydrogen, or the like. The solid fuel energy source may be an optimized solid fuel of a solid fuel utilization facility. The non-solid fuel product may be ash, sulfur, water, sulfur, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, syngas, hydrogen, or the like. The solid fuel utilization facility may be a power generation facility, a steel mill, a chemical facility, a landfill, a water treatment facility, or the like.

The methods and systems disclosed herein include providing starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics of a solid fuel processed by a solid fuel processing facility, providing desired solid fuel characteristics, Comparing starting solid fuel sample data for one or more characteristics with desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a fuel composition difference, and cleaning the solid fuel based at least in part on the solid fuel composition difference; Determine the operating process parameters for the operation of the solid fuel processing facility and monitor the pollutants released from the solid fuel during the processing of the solid fuel and the adjustment of the operating process parameters to create a clean solid fuel The step of performing. The solid fuel processing facility may be a microwave solid fuel processing facility. The solid fuel may be coal. The solid fuel sample data may be a database.

  The solid fuel characteristics may be moisture content, ash content, sulfur content, solid fuel type, or the like.

  The operational processing parameters may be microwave power, microwave frequency, frequency of microwave application, and the like.

  Contaminants can include water, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, sulfur gas, liquid sulfur, ash, or the like.

  Released contaminants can be monitored by solid fuel facility sensors. The sensor can provide feedback information for adjustment of operational process parameters.

  The method and system can further include providing high voltage power directly from the facility owned transmission line to a microwave oscillator in the processing facility, where the facility owned transmission line is a high voltage (eg, 15 kv). The above can be configured to transmit.

  The method and system can further include providing a multi-layer conveyor belt to transport solid fuel through the processing facility, where the multi-layer conveyor belt passes a majority of the microwave energy through the belt. While having a top layer that is resistant to wear and a second layer that is resistant to high temperatures.

  These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and drawings. All documents described in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The following detailed description of the present invention and certain embodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the following figures.
The present invention further provides the following means.
(Item 1)
A method for purifying solid fuel, comprising:
Providing starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics of the solid fuel to be processed by the solid fuel processing facility;
Providing desired solid fuel properties;
Comparing the starting solid fuel sample data for one or more characteristics with the desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a solid fuel composition difference;
Determining operating process parameters for operation of the solid fuel processing facility to clean the solid fuel based at least in part on the solid fuel composition difference;
Monitoring contaminants released from the solid fuel during the processing of the solid fuel and adjustment of the operational process parameters thereto to produce a purified solid fuel;
A method comprising:
(Item 2)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel treatment facility is a microwave solid fuel treatment facility.
(Item 3)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel is coal.
(Item 4)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel sample data is a database.
(Item 5)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is moisture content.
(Item 6)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is an ash content.
(Item 7)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a sulfur fraction.
(Item 8)
The method according to item 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a characteristic of a solid fuel.
(Item 9)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the operation processing parameter is microwave power.
(Item 10)
The method according to item 1, wherein the operation processing parameter is a microwave frequency.
(Item 11)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the operation processing parameter is a frequency of microwave application.
(Item 12)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant includes water.
(Item 13)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant comprises hydrogen.
(Item 14)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant contains a hydroxyl group.
(Item 15)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant includes sulfur gas.
(Item 16)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant comprises liquid sulfur.
(Item 17)
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the contaminant comprises ash.
(Item 18)
The method of item 1, wherein the released contaminant is monitored by a solid fuel facility sensor.
(Item 19)
19. The method of item 18, wherein the sensor provides feedback information for adjustment of the operational processing parameters.
(Item 20)
Item 1. The facility-owned transmission line further comprising providing high-voltage power directly from the facility-owned transmission line to the microwave oscillator in the processing facility, wherein the facility-owned transmission line is configured to transmit 15 kv or more. the method of.
(Item 21)
Further comprising providing a multilayer conveyor belt for transporting the solid fuel through the processing facility, wherein the multilayer conveyor belt is configured to pass a majority of microwave energy through the belt. 2. The method of item 1, comprising a top layer resistant to abrasion and a second layer resistant to high temperatures.
(Item 22)
An input facility configured to receive starting solid fuel sample data regarding one or more characteristics of the solid fuel to be processed by the solid fuel processing facility, and desired solid fuel characteristics;
A comparison facility configured to compare the starting solid fuel sample data for the one or more characteristics with the desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a solid fuel composition difference;
A solid fuel treatment facility further configured to clean the solid fuel based at least in part on the solid fuel composition difference,
At least one sensor configured to monitor contaminants released from the solid fuel during processing of the solid fuel;
A process conditioning facility configured to produce clean solid fuel by adjusting operating process parameters according to feedback obtained from the at least one sensor with respect to the compositional difference;
A solid fuel processing facility.
(Item 23)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the solid fuel processing facility is a microwave solid fuel processing facility.
(Item 24)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the solid fuel is coal.
(Item 25)
The system according to item 22, wherein the solid fuel sample data is a database.
(Item 26)
24. A system according to item 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is moisture content.
(Item 27)
23. A system according to item 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is an ash content.
(Item 28)
23. A system according to item 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a sulfur fraction.
(Item 29)
24. The system of item 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a type of solid fuel.
(Item 30)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the operation processing parameter is microwave power.
(Item 31)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the operation processing parameter is a microwave frequency.
(Item 32)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the operation processing parameter is a frequency of microwave application.
(Item 33)
24. The system of item 22, wherein the contaminant comprises water.
(Item 34)
23. A system according to item 22, wherein the contaminant comprises hydrogen.
(Item 35)
Item 23. The system according to Item 22, wherein the contaminant includes a hydroxyl group.
(Item 36)
Item 23. The system of item 22, wherein the contaminant comprises sulfur gas.
(Item 37)
24. A system according to item 22, wherein the contaminant comprises liquid sulfur.
(Item 38)
24. The system of item 22, wherein the contaminant comprises ash.
(Item 39)
24. The system of item 22, wherein the released contaminant is monitored by the solid fuel facility sensor.
(Item 40)
40. The system of item 39, wherein the sensor provides feedback information for adjustment of the operational processing parameters.
(Item 41)
Item 22 further includes high voltage power for transmitting high voltage power directly from the facility owned transmission line to the microwave oscillator in the processing facility, wherein the facility owned transmission line is configured to transmit 15 kv or more. The described system.
(Item 42)
And further comprising a multi-layer conveyor belt for transporting the solid fuel through the processing facility, wherein the multi-layer conveyor belt is configured to allow most of the microwave energy to pass through the belt while being resistant to wear. 24. The system of item 22, having a top layer and a second layer that is resistant to high temperatures.

  FIG. 1 illustrates the present invention relating to a solid fuel treatment facility 132 that uses electromagnetic energy to heat the product contained within the solid fuel and remove the product from the solid fuel to enhance the properties of the solid fuel. FIG. In one embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 is used to process any type of solid fuel, including but not limited to coal, coke, charcoal, peat, wood, and briquettes. can do. While many embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in connection with coal processing, such embodiments may be used for other solid fuel processing, such as coke, charcoal, peat, wood, briquettes, and the like. It should be understood that it can relate to the form of

  As shown in FIG. 1, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be used as a stand-alone facility or may be associated with the coal mine 102, the coal storage facility 112, or the like. As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be a coal combustion facility 200, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, a coal shipping facility 214, a coal storage facility 218, or the like. Can be associated with coal use equipment.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be used to improve coal quality by removing non-coal products that may interfere with the optimal combustion characteristics of certain types of coal. Non-coal products can include moisture, sulfur, ash, water, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, volatiles, or the like. Non-coal products can reduce the BTU / lb combustion characteristics of coal (e.g., water) because the BTU requires that the non-coal product be heated and removed before the coal can be combusted. ) Or such products may inhibit air flow into the coal structure during combustion (eg, ash). Coal can have multiple grades that can be assessed by the amount of non-coal products (eg, water, sulfur, hydrogen, hydroxyl, and ash) in the coal. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may process coal by performing a number of process steps relative to removing non-coal products from the coal. In an embodiment, the method of removing non-coal products from coal can be achieved by heating the non-coal products in the coal that allows for the release of the non-coal products from the coal. Heating can be accomplished by using electromagnetic energy in the form of microwave or radio wave energy (microwave) to heat the non-coal product. In an embodiment, coal may be processed using a transport system to move the coal through at least one microwave system 148 and / or other process steps.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a solid fuel processing facility 132 is illustrated by an embodiment of the solid fuel processing facility 132 with other related coal processing components. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 can receive coal from at least the mine 102 or the coal storage facility 112. There may be multiple databases that track and store the coal characteristics of the mined raw coal and the desired coal characteristics 122 of a particular type of coal or batch of coal. The solid fuel processing facility 132 has multiple systems and facilities to determine operating parameters, monitor and modify operating parameters, transport coal through a chamber for coal processing, and generate non-coal from the chamber It can assist in coal processing that can remove material, collect and dispose of non-coal products, produce treated coal, and the like. After the coal has been processed according to the systems and methods described herein, it can be transferred to a coal utilization facility, as shown in FIG. In addition, data collected during testing of the treated coal and other relevant information may be transferred to the coal utilization facility as shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the coal utilization aspect of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 after coal treatment is shown. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 improves coal quality by removing non-coal products, allowing various coal-using facilities to use coal with improved burning rates and fewer byproducts. can do. Coal use facilities may include coal combustion facilities (eg, power generation, heating, metallurgy), coal conversion facilities (eg, gasification), coal by-product facilities, coal shipping facilities, coal storage facilities, and the like. Yes, but not limited to them. By using treated coal from the solid fuel treatment facility 132, the coal utilization facility uses lower grade coal, has fewer by-products, has lower emissions, and has a higher burning rate. It may be possible to have (e.g. BTU / lb). For example, depending on the amount of coal required by a particular coal facility, there may be a solid fuel treatment facility 132 that is directly coupled to the coal facility, or the solid fuel treatment facility 132 is remote from the coal facility. May be.

At a high level, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can include a number of components that can provide aspects of the invention, some of which include additional components, modules, or systems. be able to. The constituent elements of the solid fuel processing facility 132 include a parameter generation facility 128, an intake facility 124, a monitoring facility 134, a gas generation facility 152, an ignition prevention facility 154, a belt facility 130, a storage facility 162, a processing facility 160, a disposal facility 158, A cooling facility 164, an extraction facility 168, a test facility 170, and the like may be included. In addition, the belt facility 130 includes a preheating facility 138, a control device 144, a microwave / radio wave system 1.
48, parameter control facility 140, sensor system 142, removal system 150, and the like. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 can receive coal from at least the coal mine 102 or the coal storage facility 112, and at least the coal combustion facility 200, the coal conversion facility 210, the coal by-product facility 212, the coal shipping facility 214, the coal storage facility Treated coal can be provided for 218, and the like.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can receive raw coal from a plurality of different raw coal sources, such as the coal mine 102 or the coal storage facility 112. The output of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may include a plurality of different coal uses, such as a coal combustion facility 200, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, a coal shipping facility 214, a treated coal storage facility 218, and the like. It may be for companies. The treatment of coal in the solid fuel treatment facility 132 is performed by supplying raw coal at the beginning of the process, performing a number of processes (heating, cooling, collecting non-coal products), and treating the coal to an extraction facility 168 for distribution. Can be manufactured. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be associated with a coal source (eg, a coal mine or storage facility), a stand-alone facility, a coal-using facility, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be located at a coal source and may provide optimal coal characteristics for the coal it produces. For example, the coal mine may be mining low grade coal with a high water content. A coal mine may be able to mine coal and process the coal at the same location, and thus may be able to provide the highest grade of that particular grade of coal. Another example may be a coal mine 102 with various grades of coal, in which case the coal mine 102 has different grades so as to have similar properties by treating the coal in a solid fuel treatment facility 132. It may be possible to process coal. This can allow the coal mine 102 to have a simple storage system by allowing a single grade of coal to be stored instead of storing various grades of coal in multiple locations. This single coal grade storage may also enable coal mine 102 to provide its customers with consistent and high quality single grade coal. This can also simplify the customer's coal burning requirements by only managing the use of a single coal grade quality. Coal supply consistency can enhance the efficiency of coal utilization, as described below in conjunction with FIG.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 receives raw coal from multiple individual coal mines 102 and coal storage facilities 112 and can independently process the coal into a higher quality grade coal for resale. It may be a mold facility. The stand-alone solid fuel treatment facility 132 can store a plurality of different raw and treated coals on site. For example, based on customer requirements, a solid fuel processing facility may be able to select a raw coal grade and process the coal to a certain specification for delivery to that customer. The solid fuel processing facility 132 can also process and store coal types and grades that customers can request on a regular basis.

  As described in more detail below in connection with FIG. 2, a solid fuel processing facility 132 associated with a coal-using enterprise may include a plurality of coal mines 102 and coal storage facilities for processing raw coal for its own purposes. The raw coal can be received from 112. In this way, a coal-using company may be able to process coal to the specifications it needs. Coal-using enterprises can also have a dedicated solid fuel treatment facility 132, for example when the enterprise requires a large amount of treated coal.

As shown in FIG. 1, raw coal can be obtained directly from coal mine 102. Coal mine 102 may be an open pit or underground coal mine. The coal mine 102 can have the same type of coal of different grades, or can have different types of coal within the single coal mine 102. After mining, the coal mine 102 may store mined raw coal in an on-site coal storage facility 104 that may store different types of coal and / or may store various grades of coal. it can. After mining, the raw coal can be tested to determine the properties 110 of the raw coal. Coal mine 102 may use standard coal test equipment to determine coal properties 110. Coal characteristics include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash melting temperature, May include ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. Raw coal is calculated according to ASTM standard D388 (classified coal classification), ASTM standard D2013 (method of preparing coal samples for analysis), ASTM standard D3180 (coal and coke analysis from default base to different bases) Can be tested using standard tests such as US Geologic Survey Bulletin 1823 (method for coal sampling and mineral analysis), and the like.

  Coal storage facility 104 may also screen or resize coal received from coal mine 102. As-mined raw coal may not be the size or shape required for resale to coal-using companies. If resizing is desired, the coal storage facility 104 can resize the raw coal using a crusher, coal crusher, ball mill, grinder, or the like. After the raw coal has been resized, the coal can be sorted by size for storage or stored as received from the resize process. Various coal companies may consider different coal sizes to be advantageous for their coal combustion process, and fixed bed coal combustion 220 may require larger coals with long combustion times. It is possible that pulverized coal combustion 222 may require very small coal for rapid combustion.

Using the raw coal characteristics 110, the storage facility 104 of the coal mine 102 may be capable of storing raw coal according to raw coal classification for shipment to a coal processing facility or a coal-using enterprise. The shipping facility 108 can be associated with the coal storage facility 104 to ship raw coal to a customer. The shipping facility 108 may be by rail, ship, cargo ship, or the like, which can be used separately or in combination to deliver coal to the customer. The coal storage facility 104 may use a transportation system including a conveyor belt 300, carts, rail cars, trucks, tractors, or the like to move the classified coal to the shipping facility 108. In an embodiment, there may be at least one coal transport system that transports raw coal to the shipping facility 108.

  Coal storage facility 112 may be a stand-alone coal storage company that can receive raw coal from multiple mines 102 for storage and resale. The received raw coal from coal mine 102 may be as-mined coal, resized coal, sorted coal, or the like. Coal mine 102 may have previously tested the coal for characteristics 110 and may provide coal characteristics to coal storage facility 112. Coal storage facility 112 may be a company that purchases coal from coal mine 102 for distribution and resale to multiple customers, or may be associated with coal mine 102, which may be remote storage facility 112. Good.

As part of the coal storage facility 112, the raw coal can be tested to determine its properties. Coal storage facility 112 may use a standard coal test facility to determine coal characteristics. Coal characteristics include water content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash melting temperature, May include ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. Raw coal is calculated according to ASTM standard D388 (classified coal classification), ASTM standard D2013 (method of preparing coal samples for analysis), ASTM standard D3180 (coal and coke analysis from default base to different bases) Standard working method), US G
It can be tested using standard tests such as electronic Survey Bulletin 1823 (a method for coal sampling and mineral analysis), and the like.

  The coal storage facility 112 also screens or resizes coal received from the coal mine 102, for example, if the mined coal is not the appropriate size or shape for resale to the coal-using enterprise. You can also Coal storage facility 112 may resize the raw coal using a crusher, coal crusher, ball mill, grinder, or the like. After the raw coal has been resized, the coal can be sorted by size for storage or stored as received from the resize process. Different coal-using companies may consider different coal sizes advantageous. For example, in coal combustion, one fixed bed coal combustion 220 may require a larger coal with a long burn time, while others require very small coal for rapid combustion. Can be.

  Using raw coal characteristics, the storage facility 104 may be capable of storing raw coal according to raw coal classification for shipment to a coal processing facility or a coal-using enterprise. The shipping facility 118 can be associated with the coal storage facility 114 for shipping raw coal to the customer. The shipping facility 118 may be by rail, ship, cargo ship, or the like, which can be used separately or in combination to deliver coal to the customer. Coal storage facility 114 may use a transportation system including conveyor belt 300, carts, rail cars, trucks, tractors, or the like to move classified coal to shipping facility 118. In an embodiment, there may be at least one coal transport system that transports raw coal to the shipping facility 118.

  Coal characteristics 110 from both the coal mine 102 and the coal storage facility 112 can be stored in the coal sample data facility 120. The coal sample data facility 120 is composed of water content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash content Specific coal lots, batches, grades, types, shipments, or the like that may be characterized by parameters that can include melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like Can contain all data for

  In an embodiment, the coal sample data facility 120 may be a separate computer device or a set of computer devices that store and track the coal characteristics 110. The computer device may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, CD device, DVD device, hard drive system, or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology. The coal sample data facility 120 may include a collection of data, which may be a database, relational database, XML, RSS, ASCII file, flat file, text file, or the like. In an embodiment, the coal sample data facility 120 may be searchable for searching the required data characteristics for the coal.

The coal sample data facility 120 may be located in the coal mine 102, the coal storage facility 112, the solid fuel processing facility 132, or may be located remotely from any of these facilities. In an embodiment, any of these facilities can access coal property data using a network connection. Update and modification access can be given to any of the connected equipment. In an embodiment, the coal sample data facility 120 may be an independent company for storage and distribution of coal property data.

  Coal sample data facility 120 may provide baseline information to parameter generation facility 128, coal desired property facility 122, and / or pricing facility 178. In embodiments, the baseline information may not be modified by these facilities, but may provide, for example, operational parameters for the solid fuel treatment facility 132, store initial coal characteristics, or reduce the cost of the coal batch. Can be used to calculate.

  The desired characteristics for the coal are determined by the coal desired characteristics equipment 122. The coal desired property facility 122 may be a separate computer device or a set of computer devices that store the final desired coal property for the identified coal. The computer device may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, CD device, DVD device, hard drive system, or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology.

  The coal desired property facility 122 may include a collection of data, which may be a database, relational database, XML, RSS, ASCII file, flat file, text file, or the like. In an embodiment, the coal desired characteristics facility 122 may be searchable to retrieve desired data characteristics for the coal.

  In an embodiment, the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, such as, for example, the desired characteristics of the final treated coal for each type and grade of coal that the facility can process, may be determined and maintained by the solid fuel processing facility 132. it can. These characteristics can be stored in the coal desired characteristics facility 122 and used in conjunction with information from the coal sample data facility 120 by the parameter generation facility 128 to create operational parameters for the solid fuel treatment facility 132. can do.

  In an embodiment, there may be a plurality of coal desired characteristic 122 data records, and there may be a data record for each coal type and each coal grade that the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may process.

  In an embodiment, there may be a data record of coal desired characteristics 122 for each shipment of coal received by the solid fuel treatment facility. There may be desired coal characteristics 122 developed by the solid fuel treatment facility 132 based on the quality of the coal received, and changes introduced by the solid fuel treatment facility 132. For example, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may only be able to reduce the amount of sulfur or ash by a certain percentage, and thus the desired characteristics 122 of coal may be provided by the solid fuel treatment facility 132. It can be formulated based on the starting sulfur and ash to account for changes.

  In an embodiment, the desired characteristics 122 of coal can be formulated based on customer requirements. The desired characteristics 122 of coal can be formulated to provide improved combustion characteristics, certain emission reductions, or the like.

Based on the characteristics of the coal sample and data from the desired characteristics facility 122, operational parameters can be determined for processing the coal at the solid fuel treatment facility 132. The operational parameters can be provided to the controller 144 of the belt facility 130 and the monitoring facility 134. The operating parameters include belt equipment 130 gas environment, coal intake, preheat temperature, required sensor settings, microwave frequency, microwave power, microwave duty cycle (eg, pulsed or continuous), withdrawal volume, cooling rate, and It can be used to control something similar.

  In an embodiment, parameter generation facility 128 may generate basic operating parameters for various facilities and systems of solid fuel treatment facility 132. The parameter generation facility 128 may be a separate computer device or a set of computer devices that store the final desired coal characteristics for the identified coal. The computing device may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology. The parameter generation facility 128 may be capable of storing basic operational parameters as a database, relational database, XML, RSS, ASCII file, flat file, text file, or the like. In an embodiment, the stored basic operating parameters may be searchable for searching for desired data characteristics for the coal.

  To initiate the parameter generation process, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may identify a coal shipment that can be processed and request the parameter generation facility 128 to generate operational parameters for the coal shipment. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may further indicate the required final treated coal parameters. The parameter generation facility 128 can query both the coal sample data facility 120 and the desired coal property facility 122 to collect necessary data and generate operational parameters.

  From the coal sample data facility 120, data for raw coal characteristics 110 can be requested to determine the starting characteristics of the coal. In embodiments, there may be more than one data record for a particular coal shipment. The parameter generation facility 128 may select the latest characteristics, average characteristics, select initial characteristics, or the like. There may be an algorithm that determines the appropriate data to use for the starting coal characteristics from the coal sample data 120.

  From the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, data for the final treated coal can be selected. In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may have selected a desired characteristic 122 of a particular coal. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may select a record of the desired coal characteristics 122 based on the characteristics that can best fit the final treated coal parameters required by the solid fuel processing facility 132. The parameter generation facility 128 may provide an indication of the selected coal desired characteristics 122 to the solid fuel treatment facility 132 for approval prior to proceeding with operational parameter generation.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may use a computer application that can apply rules for processing raw coal to produce a final processed coal. The rules may be part of the application or stored as data. The rules applied by the application can determine the operating parameters that the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may need to process the coal. A resulting data set can be created that can include baseline operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132.

In an embodiment, there may be a set of predetermined baseline operating parameters for certain coal processing. The parameter generation facility 128 can perform an optimization between the coal sample data 120, the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, and preset parameters for determining baseline operating parameters.

  The parameter generation facility 128 can also determine operational parameter tolerances that can be maintained to process the coal to the required final treated coal characteristics.

  Once the baseline operational parameters are determined, the parameter generation facility 128 can provide operational parameters to the controller 144 and the monitoring facility 134 for control of the solid fuel treatment facility 132.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coal processed by the solid fuel treatment facility 132 is raw coal such as intake 124, processing at the belt facility 130, processing at the cooling facility 164, and removal to an external location. To complete set of processes from coal to final treated coal. Within the belt facility 130, a number of coals, such as preheating the coal, microwaveing the coal, collecting non-coal products (eg, water, sulfur, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups), and the like. There may be a treatment process. In an embodiment, the coal to be treated can be processed by some or all of the available processes, some of which can be repeated many times, while others are for certain types of coal. Can be omitted. All of the process steps and process parameters are determined by the parameter generation facility 128 and provided to the controller 144 for process control and to the monitoring facility 134 for revision of operational parameters based on sensor 142 feedback. Can. The monitoring facility 134 can also communicate a set of sensor parameters that can be used to determine whether the coal treatment process is treating the coal as required.

  As shown herein, the solid fuel processing facility 132 is configured to convey a solid fuel through the belt facility 130, such as a conveyor belt 300 (e.g., as described herein in connection with FIGS. Elements 300A, 300B, 300C, and 300D) can be utilized. Processing steps within the belt facility 130 can include RF microwave heating, cleaning, gasification, combustion, steaming, reassurance, and the like. Such a solid fuel processing step can be performed while the solid fuel is on the conveyor belt 300. Processing steps may expose the conveyor belt 300 to conditions such as RF microwave emissions, high temperatures, wear, and the like, and may have to withstand such conditions under extended operating time frames. is there. The conveyor belt 300 may be a continuous flexible structure, a hinged plate-like structure, or other conveyor structure, and in embodiments may require a unique design that can withstand the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130. Such conveyor belts can face environmental conditions such as RF microwave emissions, high temperatures, wear, and the like. In the case of a hinge mounting plate-like structure, there may be a problem with environmental conditions, in which case the hinge mounting structure, such as clogging of material in the hinge mounting space, absorption of microwaves, and the like is connected with. The effect of such conditions on the conveyor belt 300 can be minimized with appropriate selection of materials and structures for the conveyor belt 300.

  The environmental conditions of the belt facility 130 are that the conveyor belt 300 has low microwave loss, high structural integrity, high strength, wear resistance, constant high temperature resistance, high temperature resistance, local high temperature resistance, heat insulation, dissolution resistance. , High melting point, non-porous to particles and moisture, resistance to heat dissipation, fluid transportability, etc. may be required to be associated.

The conveyor belt 300 may be required to have low microwave loss. The solid fuel processing facility 132 can utilize microwaves to heat the solid fuel. The conveyor belt 300 can absorb microwave energy and warm up. If the material comprising the conveyor belt 300 is free of low microwave losses, the conveyor belt 300 may become warm and fail with use. The RF microwave frequency that can be used by the microwave system 148 of the belt facility 130 can be in the range of 300 MHz to 1 GHz, for which the conveyor can have low microwave losses. Certain operating conditions within the belt facility 130 can increase the amount of microwave energy absorbed by the conveyor belt 300. For example, if the solid fuel is dry, or if there is a reduced amount of solid fuel on the conveyor belt 300, there may be little material that absorbs microwave energy. As a result, the conveyor belt 300 can absorb more microwave energy.

  The conveyor belt 300 may be required to withstand certain high temperatures as a result of the operating temperature of the belt facility 130. Such constant low temperatures can reach 150 ° F., 200 ° F., 250 ° F., or the like. The conveyor belt 300 may have to withstand such high temperatures over an extended operating time frame. The conveyor belt 300 may also be required to withstand local high temperatures that exceed a certain operating temperature of the belt facility 130. Such local high temperatures may be due to the solid fuel individual onset temperature of 500 ° F., 600 ° F., 700 ° F., or the like. Such local hot spots can ignite through the conveyor belt 300, which can lead to interruptions in the operation of the solid fuel treatment facility 132.

  The conveyor belt 300 may be required to withstand certain wear from processing solid fuel. For example, solid fuel can be dropped onto the conveyor belt 300 from a height such as 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, or the like. Another example may be a solid fuel that wears the conveyor belt 300 as the solid fuel slides off the conveyor belt 300. The conveyor belt 300 may be required to withstand constant wear over an extended operating time frame.

  The conveyor belt 300 may be required to be nonporous with respect to particles, moisture, and the like. If solid fuel particles fall through the conveyor belt 300, the particles may degrade the performance of the conveyor belt 300. For example, if solid fuel always passes through the conveyor belt 300 and falls into the mechanical part of the belt system 130, the mechanical part of the belt system 130 may become blocked or clogged, It may lead to interruption of operation. Also, moisture absorbed by the conveyor belt 300 may increase the amount of microwave energy that can be absorbed by the conveyor belt 300. Absorption of microwave energy may lead to heating of the conveyor belt 300 and a consequent decrease in the life of the conveyor belt 300.

  The structure of the conveyor belt 300 can utilize multiple materials to meet the requirements arising from the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130. In embodiments, such materials may be bulk, mixed, composite, layered, foamed, coated, additive, or so that the conveyor belt 300 can withstand the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130. Any other combination known in the art can be used. The material can include white butyl rubber, polyester fabric, alumina, polyester, fiberglass, Kevlar, Nomex, silicone, polyurethane, multi-material, ceramic, high temperature plastic, combinations thereof, and the like. In an embodiment, the conveyor belt 300 has a layer such as a top layer, a structural layer, a middle layer, a board layer, a fabric layer, a mat layer, a bottom layer, a heat resistance layer, a low microwave loss layer, a non-porous layer, or the like Can be configured. In further embodiments, the layers may be removable to facilitate replacement, repair, refilling, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the conveyor belt 300A can withstand the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130 by a multilayer structure such as that shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the lower layer is a structural layer 310 composed of a matrix material 302 reinforced with a structural code 304 in a layer structure. This structural layer 310 can meet requirements such as high structural integrity, high strength, and the like. An example of a combination of materials that can be combined to form the structural layer 310 may be a white butyl rubber matrix 302 having a polyester fabric as the structural cord 304. Other materials that can be used as the matrix 302 material may be natural rubber, synthetic rubber, hydrocarbon polymer, or the like. Other materials that can be used as the structural code 304 may be Kevlar, Nomex, metal, plastic, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, and the like. In this embodiment, the top layer is a cover layer 308 that can withstand very high temperatures. Cover layer 308 may also be thermally insulating to separate hot solid fuel from the underlying layer. Cover layer 308 may not require strength properties, but may require wear resistance, have a low microwave loss factor, have thermal properties to prevent heat dissipation, or the like. Good. Examples of this upper cover layer 308 may be fiberglass, low loss ceramics such as alumina, optical fibers, corundum, organic fibers, carbon fibers, composite materials, or the like. In embodiments, the cover layer 308 can be implemented as a tightly woven product or as being in the form of a foam. Another example of the material for the cover layer 308 may be silicone. Silicone may be able to cope with high temperatures, but may not be wear resistant. In this case, a coating on the top of the silicone, such as polyurethane or an additive in the silicone, can be added to increase wear resistance.

  In embodiments, the cover layer 308 can be designed to be easily removable, which can allow the cover layer 308 to be replaced, repaired, refilled, or the like. In this case, the requirements for wear resistance and non-porous properties can be relaxed. In one embodiment, the cover layer 308 may be applied in roll form with a supply roller on one side of the conveyor belt 300 system and a take-up roller on the exit side.

  In an embodiment, the conveyor belt 300B can withstand the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130 without the cover layer 308, as shown in FIG. This can be done by introducing a high temperature material component into the matrix 302 material that makes the matrix 302 material such as white butyl rubber more resistant to the high temperature environmental conditions of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, by inserting a middle layer 502 of refractory material, the structural layer 310 can prevent high temperature solid fuel from melting the conveyor belt 300C. Examples of such intermediate layer 502 may be Kevlar, Nomex, metal, ceramic, fiberglass, or the like. In this configuration, the top of the structural layer 310 may melt, but the conveyor belt 300C may still be usable until it is possible to repair the top of the structural layer 310.

In an embodiment, the conveyor belt 300D can withstand the environmental conditions of the belt facility 130 by a multi-layer structure as shown in FIG. 6, in which the combination of layers as previously described herein is repeated. The additional layers can add additional strength to the conveyor belt 300D and further reduce the potential from melting hot solid fuel. There may be a top cover layer 308 that may be heat resistant, wear resistant, removable, and the like. There may be a structural layer 310A with a middle layer 502. This composite layer is shown as an intermediate layer in the belt, but in embodiments may be a top layer, an intermediate layer, a bottom layer, and the like. There may be a structural layer 310B. The structural layer 310B is shown as a bottom layer, but in embodiments may be an intermediate layer or a top layer. Other embodiments comprising multiple layers are not limited to the combination illustrated in FIG. For example, embodiments may consist of a combination of layers, such as no intermediate layer 502 in the structural layer 310A, or a different number of layers forming a composite layer, or the composite layer may be comprised of multiple sublayers. Can do. While FIG. 6 illustrates a structure with multiple layers and composite layers, other multilayer structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art and incorporated into the present invention.

  In the embodiment, other methods for preventing the high-temperature solid fuel from dissolving can be adopted. An example of an alternative method may be using a thermographic camera to image the location of hot fragments of solid fuel. After determining the location of the hot fragments of solid fuel, a cooling spray can be used to reduce the temperature, or employ a sweeper to remove the fragments before the time to damage the conveyor belt 300 can do. Another example of an alternative method may be to measure the dielectric properties of all solid fuel fragments as they enter the belt system 130 and remove them if determined to be hot. Another example of an alternative method is to transport the solid fuel on a conveyor belt 300 that incorporates a fluidized bed in its structure, thereby equalizing the temperature of all pieces and separating the separated hot pieces of solid fuel from the conveyor belt 300. It may be excluded.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 and the monitoring facility 134 may have a feedback loop system, where the controller provides operating parameters to the solid fuel treatment facility 132 and the belt facility 130, and the monitoring facility 134 is a sensor of the belt facility 130. Data is received from 142 to determine if the operating parameters need to be adjusted to produce the required treated coal. There may be continuous application and adjustment to the operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 and the belt facility 130 during coal processing.

  The controller 144 may be a computer device that may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology. The controller 144 may be a commercially available machine control designed for control of various devices, or may be a custom designed controller 144. The controller 144 can be fully automatic, can have operational parameter overrides, can be manually controlled, can be controlled locally, can be remotely controlled, or the like It may be. The controller 144 is shown as part of the belt facility 130, but may not have a mandatory position relative to the belt facility 130, and the controller 144 may be located at the beginning or end of the belt facility 130, or anywhere in between. Can do. The controller 144 can be located away from the belt facility 130. The control device 144 may have a user interface, which may be viewable on the control device 144 and remotely viewable to a computer device connected to the network of the control device 144. Also good.

  The controller 144 includes a belt facility 130 and can include an intake 124, a preheat 138, a parameter control 140, a sensor control 142, a removal system 150, a microwave system 148, a cooling facility 164, an extraction facility 168, and the like. Operational parameters can be provided to the solid fuel treatment facility 132 system. There may be a dual communication system in which the controller 144 communicates operational parameters and various systems and equipment communicate actual operational values. The controller 144 can provide a user interface to display both operational parameters and actual operational values. The controller 144 may not be capable of providing automatic adjustment of operational parameters, but operational parameter adjustments may be provided by the monitoring facility 134.

  The monitoring facility 134 may be a computer device that may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology. The monitoring facility 134 may have the same operational parameters as the controller 144 and may receive the same actual operational parameters from various facilities and systems. The monitoring facility 134 has an algorithm and can compare the required sensor parameters provided by the parameter generation facility 128 and the actual operating values provided by the sensor 142 to determine whether the operating parameters need to be changed. . For example, the monitoring facility 134 can compare the actual steam sensor value at a particular location of the belt facility 130 with the required sensor value to determine whether the microwave power needs to be increased or decreased. . If changes in operational parameters require adjustment, the adjusted parameters can be communicated to the controller 144 for application to the appropriate device. The monitoring facility 134 can continuously monitor the system of the solid fuel processing facility 132 and the belt facility 130 for parameter adjustment.

  As a more complete example, the controller 144 can provide operational parameters to the belt facility parameter control 140 for operation of various belt facility 130 systems. As coal processing proceeds, monitoring facility 134 can monitor sensor 142 to determine whether the coal meets the sensor requirements for the desired treated coal. If there is a difference exceeding the tolerance between the required sensor signal and the actual sensor signal, the monitoring facility 134 adjusts one or more of the operating parameters and communicates the new operating parameters to the controller 144. Can do. The controller 144 can receive new operating parameters and communicate the new parameters to the parameter control 140 to control various belt facility 130 systems.

  The monitoring facility 134 may also receive feedback information from the feedback facility 174 and the coal output parameter facility 172 from the end of the coal treatment process. These two facilities can receive the final characteristics of the process coal and communicate information to the monitoring facility 134. The monitoring facility 134 can compare the final treated coal characteristics with the desired characteristics 122 of the coal to determine if the operating parameters require adjustment. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use an algorithm to combine actual operating values and final treated coal characteristics for determination of adjustment of operating parameters. The adjustment can then be communicated to the controller 144 for a revised operation of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 system.

  The function and interaction of the various coal processing facility 132 systems and facilities shown in FIG. 1 can be illustrated through the example of coal being processed by the solid fuel processing facility 132.

  In this example, the operation of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may select raw coal to be processed in the solid fuel treatment facility 132 for delivery of a particular treated coal to the customer. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may select the desired characteristics 122 of the coal relative to the starting coal and the final treated coal. As described above, the parameter generation facility 128 can generate operational parameters for the processing of the selected coal. Parameters include volume fraction of coal to be processed, atmospheric environment, belt speed, coal temperature, microwave power, microwave frequency, required inert gas, required sensor signal, preheat temperature, cooling temperature, and the like Can be included. The parameter generation facility 128 can communicate operational and sensor parameters to the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144, and the controller 144 can communicate operational and sensor parameters to the parameter control 140 and sensor system 142.

  Continuing in this example, the intake facility 124 may receive raw coal from one of the coal mines 102 or the coal storage facility 112 that may supply coal to the solid fuel treatment facility 132. Raw coal can be supplied from a storage area located in the solid fuel treatment facility 132. The intake facility 124 can have an input section, a transition section, and an adaptive section that can receive and control the flow and amount of coal that can enter the solid fuel treatment facility 132. The intake facility 124 can have an intake system, such as a conveyor belt 300, an Auger, or the like that can supply raw coal to the belt facility 130.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the intake facility can control the volume fraction of raw coal that is input to the belt facility based on operating parameters provided by the controller 144. The intake facility may be capable of changing the speed of the intake system based on the supply parameters of the controller 144. In embodiments, the intake facility 124 may be capable of supplying raw coal to the belt facility 130 at a continuous rate, or a variable or rhythmic that may add raw coal to the belt facility 130 in a coal batch. It may be possible to supply raw coal at a moderate rate. The coal batch may have a predetermined interval between the coal batches.

  In this example, belt facility 130 may receive raw coal from intake facility 124 for transporting raw coal through a coal treatment process. Coal treatment processes may include a preheat 138 process, a microwave system 148 process, a cooling process 164, and the like. The belt facility 130 can have a transport system that can be encapsulated to create a chamber that can process coal and perform the process.

  In embodiments, the transport system may be a conveyor belt 300, a series of individual containers, or other transport methods that can be used to move coal through the treatment process. The transport system may be made of a material that may be capable of holding high temperature treated coal (eg, metal, or high temperature plastic). The transport system may allow non-coal products to be released from the coal, either as a gas or as a liquid, and the released non-coal product had to be collected by the belt facility 130. May be. The transport system speed can be variably controlled by operating parameters of the controller 144. The transport system of the belt facility 130 can operate at the same speed as the intake facility 124 to maintain a balance of coal input.

  Within the chamber of the belt facility 130, it is used to assist the release of non-coal products, prevent premature coal ignition, and provide a gas flow to move the non-coal product gases to the appropriate removal system 150. The atmospheric environment that can be maintained. The atmospheric environment may be dry air (low or no humidity) to assist in the removal of moisture from the coal, or may be used to direct any condensed moisture that forms on the chamber walls to the liquid collection area. it can.

  The chamber of the belt facility 130 can have an inert or partially inert atmosphere, which can be required to remove some of the non-coal products (eg, sulfur). In the meantime, the ignition of coal can be prevented.

The inert gas can be supplied by an ignition prevention facility 154 that can store an inert gas for supply to the chamber of the belt facility 130. Inert gases include nitrogen, argon, helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Nitrogen and argon may be the most common inert gases used to provide a non-burning gas atmosphere. The ignition prevention equipment 154 can hold an inert gas for the chamber.
It can have a gas supply tank. The introduction of inert gas to create a suitable gas environment can be controlled by operating parameters of the controller 144. The controller 144 can regulate the inert gas flow using feedback from sensors in the chamber that can measure the actual inert gas mixture. Based on the sensor 142, the controller 144 can increase or decrease the inert gas flow to maintain the atmospheric operating parameters provided by the controller 144 and the parameter generation facility 128.

  If the belt facility 130 chamber uses nitrogen as an inert gas, the nitrogen can be generated in-situ at the gas generation facility 152. For example, the gas generation facility 152 can use a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process to supply the nitrogen required by the chamber of the belt facility 130. The gas generation facility 152 can supply nitrogen to the ignition prevention facility for insertion into the chamber. The nitrogen flow into the chamber can be controlled by the controller 144 as described above.

  Any of the supplied gas environments can be applied using positive or negative pressure to provide an atmospheric flow within the chamber. Gas can enter the chamber at positive pressure, flow past the coal in the belt facility 130, and exit from the exit area in the chamber. In a similar manner, negative pressure can be supplied to draw gas into the chamber and beyond the coal. Either process can be used for the collection of the non-coal product released gas into the removal system 150.

  In the exemplary embodiment, controller 144 can control the gas flow in the chamber by measuring gas velocity, gas direction, input pressure, output pressure, and the like. The controller 144 can provide control and adjustment to the gas flow by changing the fans and blowers in the belt facility.

  Within the chamber of the belt facility 130, a vacuum or incomplete vacuum can be maintained for coal processing. A vacuum environment can provide additional assistance in removing non-coal products from coal, and can also prevent coal ignition by removing an environment that favors coal ignition.

  Subsequently, the coal can first enter the preheating facility 138 by processing the coal in the belt facility 130. The preheating facility 138 can heat the coal to a temperature specified by the operational parameters, which can be provided by the controller 144. The coal can be preheated to remove surface moisture and moisture that is directly below the surface. This removal of excess moisture can allow the later used microwave system 148 to be more effective because there may be minimal surface moisture to absorb the microwave energy. is there.

  The preheating facility 138 may include the same atmosphere as other portions of the belt facility 130 or may maintain a different atmosphere.

The preheating equipment 138 can use the same transportation equipment as the rest of the belt equipment 130 or can have its own transportation equipment. If the preheating facility has its own transport facility, it can be controlled by the controller 144 and its speed can be varied to ensure that the proper moisture is removed during preheating. Moisture removal can be sensed by a water vapor sensor or the pre- or post-weight of the coal can be used to determine the amount of water removed by the preheating facility 138. In an embodiment, sensor 142 can measure coal weight on a scale in the process before and after preheating. There may be feedback to the controller 144 regarding the effective amount of moisture removed from the coal, and the controller 144 may adjust the transport system speed of the preheating facility 138 to compensate as needed.

  After the preheating facility 138, the coal can continue to the coal treatment process of the belt facility 130, where at least one microwave / radio wave system (microwave system) 148 is used to treat the coal. The electromagnetic energy of the microwave system 148 can be generated by a device such as a magnetron, klystron, gyrotron, or the like. The microwave system 148 inputs microwave energy into the coal, heats the non-coal product, and releases the non-coal product from the coal. The coal can be heated for heating non-coal products in the coal. Non-coal product release is when there is a phase change of the substance from solid to liquid, liquid to gas, solid to gas, or other phase change that allows the non-coal product to be released from coal. Can be generated.

  In a belt facility 130 where there may be more than one microwave system 148, the microwave system 148 may be in a parallel orientation, a series orientation, or a combination of parallel and series orientations with respect to the transport system.

  As discussed in more detail below, the microwave systems 148 may be parallel, in which case two or more microwave systems 148 grouped to form a single microwave system 148 process station. There may be. This single station allows the use of several smaller microwave systems 148, allows different frequencies to be used at a single station, allows different powers to be used at different stations, Different duty cycles can be used at a single station, or the like can be done.

  The microwave system 148 can also be set in series, where there may be two or more microwave system 148 stations set up along the belt facility 130. The station of the serial microwave system 148 may be either an individual microwave system 148 or a group of parallel microwave systems 148. The stations of the serial microwave system 148 may allow the coal to be processed differently at different serial microwave system 148 stations along the belt facility 130. For example, at the first station, the microwave system 148 may attempt to remove moisture from the coal that may require some power, frequency, and duty cycle. At the second station, the microwave system 148 may attempt to remove sulfur from the coal that may require different power, frequency, and duty cycle.

  The step of using a series of microwave systems also allows other processations between microwave systems 148 such as standby stations, complete release of non-coal products, non-coal product removal system 150 stations, non-coal. A sensor system 142 that records the release of the product, or the like, may be possible.

A series of microwave system 148 stations may allow different non-coal products to be released and removed at different stages of the belt facility 130. This can make it easier to keep the removed non-coal product separated and collected by a suitable removal system 150. This also allows a single microwave system 148 to be mapped to a process step or set of process steps, so that a specific process or set of specific processes can be performed. A microwave system 148 can be used. Thus, for example, the microwave system 148 is activated only for process steps that need to be performed. In this example, if the process step does not need to be performed, the correlated microwave system 148 need not be activated, and if the process step needs to be repeated, the correlated microwave system 148 is activated again, eg, the first It is possible to remove non-coal products that have not been completely removed after startup.

  In the exemplary embodiment, control of the microwave system 148 includes sensing, monitoring the status of the coal treatment process, adjusting the operating parameters, and applying the new operating parameters to the at least one microwave system 148. A series of control steps can be included, such as steps to As discussed further below, the control, adjustment, and feedback processes for providing operational parameters to the microwave system 148 may be applicable to one or more microwave systems substantially simultaneously.

  At least one of the microwave systems 148 can be controlled by the controller 144. In embodiments, the controller 144 can provide operational parameters that control microwave frequency, microwave power, microwave duty cycle (eg, pulsed or continuous). The controller 144 may receive initial operating parameters from the parameter generation facility 128. Control of the microwave system 148 can be performed in real time, for example, operational parameters are applied to the microwave system 148, the sensor 142 provides process values, and the monitoring facility 134 receives and operates parameters. Adjusting and operating parameter feedback is provided to the controller 144 and the control cycle is then repeated as necessary.

  The controller 144 can apply operational parameters to one or more microwave systems 148. Microwave system 148 can react by applying the power, frequency, and duty cycle commanded by controller 144, thereby processing coal according to the command of controller 144 at a particular station.

  Microwave systems may require a significant amount of power to process coal. For certain embodiments of the microwave system 148 of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, the required microwave power may be at least 15 kW at a frequency of 928 MHz or less, and in other embodiments, the required microwave power. The power may be at least 75 kW at a frequency of 902 MHz. Power for the microwave system 148 can be provided by a high voltage input transmission facility 182. This facility 182 may be capable of increasing or decreasing the voltage from the source to meet the requirements of the microwave system 148. In an embodiment, the microwave system 148 may have more than one microwave oscillator. The power input system 180 can provide a connection for the high voltage input transmission facility 182 for voltage requirements. When the solid fuel treatment facility 132 is located in the power generation facility 204, the power input 180 can be obtained directly from the power supplied from the power generation facility 204. In other embodiments, the power input 180 can be derived from a local power network.

As shown herein, solid fuel processing facility 132 can utilize magnetron 700 to generate microwaves to process solid fuel (eg, coal). FIG. 7 illustrates a magnetron that can be used as part of the microwave system 148 of the solid fuel treatment facility 132. In an embodiment, the magnetron 700 may be a high performance vacuum tube that generates coherent microwaves. Cavity magnetron 700 can be comprised of a hot filament that acts as a cathode 714 that is maintained at a high negative potential by a high voltage direct current (DC) 802 power source. Cathode 714 can be built in the center of a vacuum leaflet circular chamber. A leaf portion outside the chamber can act as an anode 710 and attracts electrons emitted from the cathode. The magnetic field can be imposed by a magnet or electromagnet in such a way as to cause the electrons emitted from the cathode 714 to spiral outward in a circular orbit. Since the leaf cavities 708 are open along their length, they connect to the space of the common cavity 712. As electrons pass through these openings, a resonant high frequency field can be induced in the common cavity 712, which can then cluster the electrons. Part of this field can be extracted by a short antenna 702 connected to the waveguide. The waveguide can heat and process the solid fuel as described elsewhere herein by inducing RF energy extracted from the magnetron into the solid fuel. Alternatively, energy from the magnetron can be delivered directly from the antenna to the solid fuel without the use of a waveguide.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a high voltage supply facility for the magnetron 700. The high voltage DC 802 supplied to the cavity magnetron 700 via lead 718 for the treatment of solid fuel is 5,000 VDC, 10,000 VDC, 20,000 VDC, 50,000 VDC, or the like at high voltage, etc. It may be. In an embodiment, the typical range of high voltage may be 20,000 to 30,000 VDC. This high voltage direct current 802 can be delivered from the power facility in the form of a voltage that is single phase or multi-phase alternating current (AC) power at 180 and converted to a high voltage DC 802 via a high voltage input transmission 182 facility. The power facility supplying the AC voltage at 180 may be, for example, a public facility or a private facility. The AC voltage at 180 provided by the power facility may be 120 VAC, 240 VAC, 480 VAC, 1,000 VAC, 14,600 VAC, 25,000 VAC, or the like. In an embodiment, a typical voltage used in the field may be AC 160 kV and may typically be three phase. Because the facility AC voltage force at 180 may need to be converted to high voltage DC 802 used by the magnetron, some power loss may be due to the electrical inefficiency of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. . It may be desirable to reduce such power losses associated with the high voltage input transmission 182 facility to minimize the operating costs of the facility associated with the solid fuel treatment facility 132. A number of embodiments can be utilized in the configuration of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility.

  FIG. 9 illustrates a transformerless high voltage input transmission facility 900, which is one embodiment of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. A high voltage input transmission facility 900 without a transformer can convert high voltage AC power at 180, which in an embodiment may be 14,600 VAC, directly converted to the high voltage DC 802 required by the magnetron 700. In an embodiment, this may be 20,000 VDC. By converting directly from the high voltage AC power at 180 to the high voltage DC 802, some intermediate steps can be eliminated, which allows for improved power efficiency and thus reduced operating costs for the solid fuel treatment facility 132. be able to. In an embodiment, the excluded step is required by the magnetron, for example by a transformer, to rectify the high voltage AC power at 180 to a low voltage AC, creating a low voltage DC, and then by a booth and converter. A process of increasing the DC again to a high voltage DC 802A taken to be included can be included. By eliminating such intermediate stages in the high voltage input transmission 182 facility, both efficiency and reliability can be improved, and capital and maintenance costs are reduced.

The first stage of the high voltage input transmission facility 900 without a transformer obtains high voltage AC power at 180 and passes it through a high speed, high current circuit breaker 902, sometimes called a current interrupter. Circuit breakers are self-operating electrical switches that are designed to protect electrical circuits from damage caused by overloads or short circuits. There is one high speed, high current circuit breaker 902 for each phase of input high voltage AC power at 180 from the facility. A high speed, high current circuit breaker 902 opens the circuit fast enough to protect the facility's power distribution system in the event of a short circuit in the high voltage input transmission facility 900 without a transformer. A high speed, high current circuit breaker can provide electrical isolation and protection to the facility's power distribution system otherwise provided by other components such as transformer 1002. Since the transformer 1002 has a power loss due to inefficiency, it may not be present in the high-speed high-current circuit breaker. Enables power efficiency. The high speed, high current circuit breaker 902 can also serve to protect the magnetron 700 in the system. A voltage surge or spike may disrupt the magnetron 700 electric field. This can cause the system to lose the microwave current delivered to the solid fuel and cause damage to the magnetron.

  The second stage of the high voltage input transmission facility 900 without the transformer obtains the output of the high voltage AC 910 from the high speed, high current circuit breaker and transmits it through the rectifier stage 904 where it is converted to the high voltage DC 802. The The rectifier 904 is an electrical device that includes one or more semiconductor devices, such as diodes, thyristors, SCRs, IGBTs, and the like, that are arranged to convert AC voltage to DC voltage. The output of a very simple rectifier 904 can be expressed as a half AC current, which is then filtered to DC. A practical rectifier 904 may be half-wave, full-wave, single-phase bridge, three-phase three-pulse, three-phase six-pulse, and the like, and various reduced amounts of residual AC when combined with filtering. Ripple is generated. The output high voltage DC 802 resulting from the rectifier 904 may also be adjustable, for example, by changing the firing angle of the SCR. This output high voltage DC 802 can also be adjusted up to a theoretical maximum of the peak value of the input AC voltage force at 180 maximum. As an example, an input AC voltage force at 180 of 14,600 VAC can theoretically produce a DC voltage that meets the required 20,000 VDC. If the high voltage DC 802 meets the requirements of the input high voltage DC 802A for the magnetron 700, the final DC-DC converter 908 stage shown as a dashed line in FIG. 9 may not be required. The DC-DC converter 908 can have an efficiency of 80%, 85%, 95%, etc., so that additional electrical efficiency for the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can be obtained.

  The third stage of the transformerless high voltage input transmission facility 900 is a DC-DC converter 908, if necessary. In this embodiment, if the output high voltage DC 802 from the rectifier is not high enough to meet the requirements of the high voltage DC 802A input of the magnetron 700, there is still a need for a DC to DC converter 908 between the rectifier 904 stage and the magnetron 700. Can exist. The DC-DC converter 908 is a circuit that converts a DC source from one voltage to another. In general, a DC-DC converter applies a DC voltage to an inductor or transformer for a period of time, for example, in the range of 100 kHz to 5 MHz that allows current to flow through and magnetically store energy. Conversion is performed by applying. This voltage can then be switched off and the stored energy transferred to the voltage output in a controlled manner. By adjusting the ratio of on to off time, the output voltage can be adjusted even if the current demand changes. In this embodiment, the need for a DC to DC converter may depend on the voltage level of the supplied high voltage AC power at 180. For example, for a voltage power of 12,740 VAC facility distribution at 180, the rectifier 904 can supply a maximum high voltage DC 802 of less than 18,000 VDC. The high voltage DC 802A required by the magnetron 700 is 20,000 VDC, and then in this case, the stage of the DC-DC converter 908 may raise the voltage to the high voltage DC 802A to meet the requirements of the magnetron 700. May be required.

The inclusion of a high-speed, high-current circuit interruption in the transformerless power conversion facility 900 can also protect the electrical facility's electrical system from non-electrical failures in the solid fuel processing facility 132. Apart from electrical shorts due to equipment failure, the magnetron 700 can arc off due to the collapse of the electric field in the magnetron 700. This arc-off condition may cause a large inflow of current from the facility's electrical system. In an embodiment, a high speed, high current circuit breaker can protect the facility's electrical system from such massive fault currents. An example of a condition that can lead to arc-off of the magnetron 700 is excessive reflected power returning into the magnetron 700. There may typically be a reflection back into the magnetron 700 during operation, and the circulator (isolator) of the magnetron 700 is designed to protect the magnetron 700 from damage due to this reflected power. However, a circulator failure may result in an arc-off of the magnetron 700. As such, although the system is designed to withstand reflected power, faults in the system may still cause a large inflow of current associated with arc-off of the magnetron 700. This is just one example of a situation that can lead to large inflow currents from the facility's electrical system. Under any high current conditions that last more than two or three cycles at 60 Hz, the power distribution system supplying the equipment can potentially cause circuit breaker tripping back through the facility distribution and transmission system, creating the facility You may experience a failure that can return to the facility. Even fluctuations in the product flow within the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can cause a large amount of reflections and lead to arc-off. Other fault conditions that can result in large inflow currents will be apparent to those skilled in the art. This and all other high current fault conditions can be eliminated by the presence of a fast high current circuit breaker. The transformerless high voltage input transmission facility 900 can provide maximum electrical efficiency and fault protection by eliminating or reducing inefficiencies in the high voltage input transmission 182 facility.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a high voltage input transmission facility with a transformer 1000, which is one embodiment of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. This power conversion structure for delivering high voltage DC to the magnetron is performed in three steps. In the first step, high voltage AC power at 180 is converted to low voltage AC 910 by transformer 1002. The transformer 1002 may be an electrical device that converts energy from one electrical circuit to another by magnetic coupling. The transformer 1002 can include two or more connecting windings, and can also include a magnetic core to collect magnetic flux. In FIG. 10, the input AC voltage force at 180 applied to one winding called primary creates a time-varying magnetic flux in the core, which is in the other winding called secondary. AC voltage 910 is induced at Transformer 1002 is used to convert between voltages, to change impedance, and to provide electrical isolation between circuits. For example, the high voltage AC power at 180 inputs in FIG. 10 may be 14,600 VAC, and the output of the low voltage AC 910 may be 480 VAC. In addition to these AC voltages being different, they may also be electrically isolated from each other. The transformer 1002 may be a single-phase transformer, a plurality of single-phase transformers, an array of transformers, a multi-phase transformer, or the like. Further, the transformer can be provided by a power facility. The transformer may have a power inefficiency associated with the conversion from one voltage to another, and this inefficiency may be related to the voltage and current at the input and output of the transformer 1002.

In the second step of the high voltage input transmission facility configuration with transformer 1000, low voltage AC 204A is passed through the stage of rectifier 904 to produce an equivalent low voltage DC 802. As an example, an input AC voltage 910 of 480 VAC can theoretically produce an output DC voltage 802 as high as 677 VDC. The 677 VDC voltage may not be sufficient to meet the needs of the magnetron high voltage DC 104. In this case, a stage of a third DC-DC converter 908 may be required, in which case the low voltage DC 802 from the rectifier 904 uses the DC-DC converter 908 to provide the required high voltage DC 802A, eg, Increased to 20,000 VDC.

Embodiments of the high voltage input transmission facility with transformer 1000 can take advantage of a standard three-phase low voltage transformer arrangement that is available from the facility. An example of such an arrangement is a three-phase, four-wire 480 / 277V transformer that typically delivers power to large buildings and commercial centers. 480V is used to operate the motor, while 277V is used to operate the facility's fluorescent lights. For a 120V electrical outlet, a separate transformer can be required, which can be supplied from a 480V line. Another example of a standard three-phase voltage can utilize 575-600V rather than 480V, which can reduce the need for a third DC-DC converter 908 stage. These examples are not intended to be limiting and other configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The use of standard facility transformers can eliminate the need for special equipment from the facility and thus reduce the initial cost of this embodiment. However, the operating power loss associated with converting AC voltage down and then increasing DC voltage again may be undesirable because it may increase the operating costs of the solid fuel processing facility.

  FIG. 11 illustrates a high voltage input transmission facility without a transformer with an inductor 1100, which is a variation of the power conversion facility 900 without a transformer, and is an embodiment of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. This embodiment is similar to the transformerless high voltage input transmission facility 900 in that there is no transformer 1002, but provides high voltage AC power at 180 through a high speed, high current circuit breaker for protection. Rather, the high voltage AC power at 180 is supplied directly to the rectifier 904. The output high voltage DC 802 of the rectifier 904 may be sufficient so that the DC-DC converter 908 may not be required, as in the case of the power conversion facility 900 without a transformer. The purpose of the high speed, high current circuit breaker 902 in the transformerless high voltage input transmission facility 900 was to provide protection to the facility's power distribution system in the event of a short circuit in the solid fuel processing facility 132. The high speed, high current circuit breaker 902 may provide a faster circuit breaker than is normally provided by power facilities. This faster speed may be required because there is no isolation transformer. A transformerless high voltage input transmission facility with inductor 1100 provides a high current inductor 1102 in series with magnetron 700, which is an alternative short circuit protection component. Inductor 1102 slows down the short circuit response time and provides sufficient time for a standard facility slow facility circuit breaker to respond and open and protect the facility's power distribution system. Under DC conditions, the inductor does not affect the circuit and acts as a virtual short in the line. However, when a short circuit condition occurs in the solid fuel treatment facility 132, the inductor reacts to slow down the current response, delaying the effect of the short circuit. This delay allows sufficient time for a standard facility circuit breaker to be available, which can eliminate the need for a high speed circuit breaker 902.

FIG. 12 illustrates a direct DC high voltage input transmission facility with transformer 1200, which is one embodiment of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. This power conversion structure for delivering high voltage DC 802 to the magnetron is performed in two steps. In the first step, the high voltage AC power at 180 can be increased or decreased as needed using the transformer 1002. The voltage ratio of the transformer's input to output can be determined by the available input high voltage AC power at 180 and the required output high voltage DC 802 used by the magnetron 700. In the second step, high voltage AC 910 from the output of transformer 1002 is transmitted through the stage of rectifier 904. The rectifier 904 converts the input high voltage AC 910 to the high voltage DC 802 required by the magnetron 700. Both the voltage ratio of the transformer 1002 and the output regulation of the rectifier 904 can be selected based on the requirements for the input high voltage AC power at 180 and the output high voltage DC 802 to the magnetron 700. For example, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be located in a geographic region where a distribution voltage of facility-supplied high voltage AC power at 180, 80,000 VAC is available. If the magnetron 700 requires a high voltage DC 802 of 20,000 VDC, the input of the high voltage DC 910 to the rectifier 904 is selected to be, for example, a voltage level that produces the minimum output voltage ripple or maximum conversion efficiency for the rectifier 904. be able to. The selected high voltage DC 910 may be, for example, 16,000 VDC. In this case, the voltage ratio to the transformer may be 5: 1, which represents the ratio of the primary winding of the transformer 1002 to the secondary winding. The 80,000 VAC high voltage AC power at 180 inputs is then stepped down to a high voltage AC 910 of 16,000 VAC. Next, the 16,000 VAC high voltage AC 910 is converted into high voltage DC 802 by the rectifier 904 and supplied to the magnetron 700 of the solid fuel processing facility 132. This embodiment may allow for higher efficiency associated with high voltage input transmission 182 equipment that maintains a high voltage throughout while maintaining the fault isolation provided by transformer 1002. Although there are several exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art are well aware of variations, and such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

  FIG. 13 illustrates a high voltage input transmission facility with transformer isolation, which is one embodiment of the high voltage input transmission 182 facility. This power conversion structure for delivering high voltage DC 802A to magnetron 700 utilizes a transformer 1002 to electrically isolate the high voltage input transmission 182 facility from the high voltage AC power at the distribution system facility at 180. In this configuration, the transformer 1002 only serves as an electrical isolator and does not have to perform conversion in voltage action. The input high voltage AC power at 180 to the transformer 1002 may be the same voltage as the output high voltage AC 1002A output from the transformer. As a result of the transformer 1002, the high voltage AC 910 is unchanged and the function of changing the voltage level to the high voltage DC 802A required by the magnetron 700 can be achieved primarily by the DC-DC converter 908. The high voltage AC 910 at the output of the transformer is transmitted through a rectifier 904 where the high voltage AC 910 is converted to a high voltage DC 802. As a result of rectification, the voltage level of the high voltage DC 802 may be slightly higher than the high voltage AC 910 at the input of the rectifier, but may be limited to a slight increase. If the high voltage DC 802 does not meet the high voltage DC 802A required by the magnetron 700, the DC-DC converter 908 can serve as a component in the high voltage input transmission 182 facility that provides most of the voltage conversion function. it can. In an embodiment, this configuration may provide a method for the high voltage input transmission 182 facility to provide the magnetron 700 with the high voltage DC 802A by electrical isolation for the facility's high voltage AC power at 180. A reduction in power inefficiency due to the transformer can be achieved with this structure.

  In an embodiment, the power requirements of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be high and may require a high voltage line, for example a 160 kV transmission line. The power requirements may be so high as to justify the design and construction of the distribution station on site with the solid fuel treatment facility 132. These distribution stations can be uniquely designed for the solid fuel treatment facility 132, and as such, can allow the selection of the high voltage level that best suits the voltage requirements of the magnetron. In this case, the need for the DC-DC converter 908 can be eliminated.

When the microwave system 148 applies power, frequency, and duty cycle to a particular coal process station, non-coal products can be released from the coal. The sensor system can be used to determine the rate of non-coal product removal, complete non-coal product removal, environmental settings, actual microwave system 148 output, and the like. The sensor system 142 can include sensors for water vapor, ash, sulfur, volatile materials, or other materials emitted from coal. Alternatively, the sensor system 142 may include sensors for microwave power, microwave frequency, gas environment, coal temperature, chamber temperature, belt speed, inert gas, and the like. The sensors can be grouped or spaced along the belt facility 130 as needed to properly sense the coal processing process. There may be multiple sensors for the same measurement. For example, a moisture sensor can be placed at a station of the microwave system 148 and another moisture sensor can be placed after the station of the microwave system 148. In this example, the sensor arrangement allows sensing the amount of water vapor removed at the microwave station 148 itself, and the amount of residual water vapor removed as the coal exits the microwave system station 148. it can. In such a setting, the first sensor can be used to determine whether the appropriate power level, frequency, and duty cycle are being used, and the second sensor is used for the redundant microwave system 1.
Forty-eight processes can be performed to determine if sufficient water should be removed from the coal. Similar methods can be used with any of the other sensors in the sensor system 142.

  The sensor signal can be received by a parameter control facility 140 that can have a sensor interface for each type of sensor used by the sensor system 142. The parameter control facility 140 may be capable of reading both digital and analog sensor signals. The parameter control facility 140 can use an analog to digital converter (ADC) to convert any analog signal to digital form. After receiving sensor data, the parameter control facility 140 can communicate sensor signals to both the controller 144 and the monitoring facility 134. The controller 144 is a sensor for displaying actual coal process data on its user interface that allows the user to view the data against actual settings and perform manual overrides to operating parameters as needed. A signal can be used.

  In the exemplary embodiment, monitoring facility 134 receives actual coal process data and compares them to the required coal process parameters to determine whether the coal treatment process is producing desired coal characteristics 122. be able to. Monitoring facility 134 may maintain at least two sets of coal processing parameters, target parameters that may be provided by parameter generation facility 128, and actual coal process data provided by parameter control 140. The monitoring facility 134 can compare the required and actual parameters to determine whether the coal processing operational parameters are producing the desired characteristics 122 of the coal. The parameter generation facility 128 may also provide the monitoring facility 134 with a set of tolerances that must be maintained by the coal processing process to produce the desired characteristics 122 of the coal. The monitoring facility 134 can use a set of algorithms to determine whether operational parameter adjustments need to be made. The algorithm may compare actual sensor 142 data with basic operating parameters and operating parameter tolerances when determining adjustments to operating parameters.

  In addition, the monitoring facility 134 may receive final processed coal data from a feedback facility 174 that may include data from the coal output parameter 172 facility and the test facility 170. The monitoring facility 134 algorithm may use the data received from the feedback facility 174 along with the in-process data received from the sensor system 142 to adjust the coal processing operating parameters.

  The monitoring facility 134 may be able to adjust one or all of the operating parameters of the belt facility 130 in real time.

  After the monitoring facility 134 adjusts the operating parameters, the monitoring facility 134 can save the adjusted operating parameters as new operating parameters and then communicate the new operating parameters to the controller 144.

  The controller 144 can determine that at least one new operating parameter has been received from the monitoring facility 134 and communicates the new operating parameter to the various belt facility 130 devices that can include the microwave system 148. be able to.

Using the above process to provide operational parameters, sense actual process values, interpret actual process values, adjust operational parameters as needed, and communicate adjusted operational parameters to belt facility 130 Certain embodiments can provide a real-time feedback system that can be continuously adjusted to change conditions within the coal treatment process.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that the feedback system described above can be applied to both the belt facility 130 system and facility.

  In an exemplary coal treatment process, non-coal products can be released from the coal in gas or liquid form. The removal system 150 may serve to remove non-coal products from the belt facility 130, and the removal system 150 may include non-coal products such as water, ash, sulfur, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, volatiles, and the like. Can be removed. The removal system 150 and the controller 144 can receive sensor information from the sensor system 142 for the amount of non-coal product that can be released from the coal treatment process.

  There may be more than one removal system 150 in the belt facility 130 for removing gases and / or liquids. For example, there may be a water vapor removal system 150 at a station of the microwave system 148, another removal system 150 after the station of the microwave system 148, and a residue that can subsequently be discharged after the station of the microwave system 148. Collect water vapor. Or, as another example, one removal system 150 can remove water vapor while another removal system 150 can remove ash, sulfur, or other materials.

  The controller 144 can provide operating parameters to the removal system 150 to control fan speed, pump speed, and the like. The removal system 150 can utilize a feedback system similar to the feedback system of the microwave system 148 described above. In such a feedback system, the sensor can provide information to parameter control 140 and monitoring facility 134 to provide real-time feedback to removal system 150 for efficient removal of non-coal products. .

  The removal system 150 can collect the coal processing released gas and liquid from the belt facility 130 and transfer the collected non-coal product to the containment facility 162. The storage facility 162 may collect non-coal products from the belt facility 130 in at least one storage tank or container. The monitoring facility 134 can monitor the storage facility 162 to determine the level of non-coal products and provide this information to a user interface that is viewable by a computer device that accesses the solid fuel processing facility 132. Can do. The monitoring facility 134 can also determine when the contents of the tank or container should be transferred to the processing facility 160 because the storage facility 162 is sufficiently full.

  The processing facility 160 may serve to separate various collected non-coal products that may coexist in the tanks and containers of the storage facility 162. In embodiments, more than one non-coal product can be collected in a containment tank or vessel during the coal treatment process. For example, since the ash can be released with both water and sulfur during one of the processes of the microwave system 148, the collected product will contain ash mixed with water and / or sulfur. Including.

  The processing facility 160 can receive non-coal products from the storage facility 162 for separation into a single product. The processing facility 160 may include a plurality of filtering and A separation process can be used.

The monitoring facility 134 can monitor the process of the processing facility 160 for proper operation and separation. The processing facility 160 may have its own sensors for transmitting data to the monitoring facility 134 or the processing facility 160 may use the sensor system 142 to monitor the processing process.

  Once the processing facility 160 splits the non-coal products into individual products, they can be moved to a disposal facility 158 for removal from the solid fuel processing facility 132. The monitoring facility 132 can monitor the product level of the disposal facility 158 to determine when the product should be disposed of. The monitoring facility 134 can provide information from the disposal facility to a user interface within the solid fuel treatment facility 132. Disposal from the disposal facility 158 can include releasing non-hazardous products (eg, water and water vapor), moving to landfills (eg, ash), selling products, or private paid disposal. In embodiments, the non-coal product collected at the disposal facility 158 may be useful to other companies (eg, sulfur).

  After the coal has been processed in the belt facility 130, the coal can proceed to a cooling facility 164 that can control the cooling of the coal from the processing temperature to the ambient temperature. Similar to the belt facility 130, the cooling facility 164 can use a controlled atmosphere, transportation system, sensors, and the like to control the cooling of the coal. The cooling of the coal can be controlled, for example, to prevent moisture reabsorption and / or other chemical reactions that may occur during the cooling process. The controller 144 can be used to maintain the system and equipment of the cooling facility 164, such as transport speed, atmosphere, cooling rate, airflow, and the like. The cooling facility 164 can use the same aforementioned real-time feedback system used by the belt facility 130 to control operating parameters.

  The extraction facility 168 can receive final treated coal from the cooling facility 164 and the belt facility 130. The extraction facility 168 can have an input section, a transition section, and an adaptive section that can receive and control the flow and amount of coal that can exit the solid fuel treatment facility 132. The final treated coal can exit the solid fuel treatment facility 132 to the coal combustion facility 200, the coal conversion facility 210, the coal by-product facility 212, the shipping facility 214, the coal storage facility 218, or the like. . The extraction facility 168 may have an intake system, such as a conveyor belt 300, Auger, or the like that can supply finished treated coal from the solid fuel processing facility 132 to an external location.

  Based on the operational parameters provided by the controller 144, the extraction facility 168 can control the volume ratio of the finished treated coal that is output from the belt facility 130. The extraction facility 168 may be capable of changing the speed of the extraction facility based on the supply parameters of the controller 144.

  In addition, the removal facility 168 can provide test samples to the test facility 170 to test the final treated coal. The selection of the coal sample can be selected automatically or manually, and the selection of coal can be made a predetermined number of times, selected randomly, selected statistically, or the like.

The coal test facility 170 can test the final treated coal properties compared to the desired properties 122 of the coal as a final quality test of the treated coal. The test facility may be remotely located, near the solid fuel treatment facility 132, or it may be a standard private coal test laboratory. In FIG. 1, the test facility is shown as being near the solid fuel processing facility. Final treated coal tests include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury,
Coal properties can be provided that can include ash melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. Final treated coal is calculated according to ASTM standard D388 (classified coal classification), ASTM standard D2013 (method of preparing coal samples for analysis), ASTM standard D3180 (coal and coke analysis from default to different bases) Can be tested using standard tests such as US Geologic Survey Bulletin 1823 (method for coal sampling and mineral analysis), and the like.

  Once the final treated coal characteristics are determined by the test facility 170, the characteristics can be communicated to the coal output parameter facility 172 and / or supplied to the final treated coal shipment. Providing shipments to the test characteristics may allow the coal use facility to know the coal characteristics and adjust the coal use characteristics to match the final treated coal characteristics.

Similar to the coal desired property facility 122, the coal power parameter facility 172 may store property data coal, in this case the final treated coal property. The coal power parameter facility 172 may be an individual computer device or a set of computer devices that store the final desired coal characteristics for the identified coal. The computer device may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, CD device, DVD device, hard drive system or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computer devices at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology.

  Coal power parameter facility 172 may include a collection of data that may be a database, relational database, XML, RSS, ASCII file, flat file, text file, or the like. In an embodiment, the coal power parameter facility 172 may be searchable for recovery of desired data characteristics for the coal.

  There may be multiple coal power parameter records stored in the coal power parameter facility 172 based on the number of test samples supplied by the extraction facility 168 and the test facility 170.

  A total coal property data record is received from the test facility 170, and the coal power parameter facility 172 can store the received data and / or communicate the received coal property data record to the feedback facility 174. The coal power parameter facility 172 communicates only new received coal characteristic data records, or all of the data records for the identified coal (eg, multiple test results), or for the identified coal. An average of all data records can be communicated, statistical data of identified coals can be communicated, or the like can be done. The coal output parameter facility 172 can transfer any combination of data records to the feedback facility 174.

The feedback facility 174 can receive coal output parameter data from the coal output parameter facility 172. The feedback facility 174 may be an individual computer device or a set of computer devices that store the final desired coal characteristics for the identified coal. The computing device may be a computing device that may be a desktop computer, server, web server, laptop computer, CD device, DVD device, hard drive system or the like. The computer devices can all be located locally with respect to each other or can be distributed across multiple computers at remote locations. Computer devices can be connected by LAN, WAN, Internet, Intranet, P2P, or other network types using wired or wireless technology.

  The feedback facility 174 can query the coal output parameter facility 172 for the identified coal data being processed in the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the feedback facility 174 is configured to output coal output when data is requested by the monitoring facility 134 periodically, when the coal output parameter facility 172 sends a new record, or the like, for a set period of time. The parameter facility 172 can be queried.

  Feedback facility 174 receives only new received coal property data records, receives all of the data records for the identified coal (eg, multiple test results), and all data records for the identified coal. Can be received, communicate statistical data of identified coal, or the like. The feedback facility 174 may have an algorithm for aggregating the final treated coal characteristics received as a feed transfer to the monitoring facility 134. The feedback facility 174 was identified as the last coal property data record, all of the data records for the identified coal (eg, multiple test results), or the average of all data records for the identified coal. Coal statistical data or the like is fed to the monitoring facility 134.

  Coal power parameter facility 172 can transfer the coal characteristics to pricing / trading facility 178. Pricing / trading facility 178 may determine the price and cost of coal processing from raw coal to final treated coal when received. Pricing / trading facility 178 may collect coal data as received from coal sample data facility 120, which may store the cost of received coal (eg, coal cost / ton). it can. Pricing / trading facility 178 may collect data from coal output parameter facility 172 that may include data relating to coal processing costs. Pricing / trading facility 178 may have application software that can determine the final price of the treated coal based on cost data recovered and derived from coal sample data facility 120 and coal output parameter facility 172. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 2, certain aspects of coal utilization are consistent with coal processing in the solid fuel processing facility 132. As described above, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can improve coal quality, making the coal more suitable for various uses. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 is an extraction facility through which coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be transferred to a utilization facility such as that illustrated in FIG. 168 may be included. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may include a test facility 170 as described in more detail above. As described above, the results of the coal being tested at the test facility 170 can be transferred to a utilization facility such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the utilization facility is processed according to the systems and methods described herein. The specific characteristics of coal produced can be exploited well.

FIG. 2 includes a coal combustion facility 200 and coal storage facility 202 for combustible coal, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, a coal shipping facility 214, and a coal storage facility 218 for shipping coal in transit. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary facility that can use, but is not limited to, coal processed by the systems and methods described herein. In an embodiment, the coal is shipped or transported from the extraction facility 168 to the facility for use of the coal. It will be appreciated that the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be proximate to the coal-using facility, or the two may be remote from each other.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the combustion of coal processed by the systems and methods described herein may occur in a coal combustion facility 200. Coal combustion 200 involves burning coal at a high temperature in the presence of oxygen to produce light and heat. Coal must be heated to its ignition temperature before combustion occurs. The ignition temperature of coal is the ignition temperature of its fixed carbon content. The ignition temperature of the volatile component of coal is higher than the ignition temperature of fixed carbon. Thus, the gaseous product is distilled during combustion. Once combustion begins, the heat produced by the oxidation of combustible carbon can maintain a sufficiently high temperature to sustain combustion under appropriate conditions. The coal used in the coal combustion 200 facility can be transported directly to the facility for use or stored in a storage facility 202 for the coal combustion 200 facility.

  As shown in FIG. 2, coal combustion 200 can provide power generation 204. Systems for power generation include a fixed bed combustion system 220, a pulverized coal combustion system 222, a fluidized bed combustion system 224, and a combined combustion system 228 that uses a sustainable energy source in combination with coal combustion.

  In an embodiment, the fixed bed 220 system may be used with coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein. The fixed bed 220 system can utilize a lump coal supply with particle sizes ranging from about 1 to 5 cm. In the fixed bed 220 system, the coal is heated as it enters the furnace, thus removing moisture and volatile materials. As the coal moves into the area to be ignited, the temperature rises in the coal bed. There are a number of different types of fixed bed 220 systems, including stationary grate, submersible stalker, chain grate, moving grate, and spread stalker system. Chain and moving grate furnaces have similar properties. Coal mass is fed into the mobile grate or chain, while air is drawn through the grate and through the coal bed on top of it. In a spread stalker, a high speed rotor throws coal into a furnace on a mobile grate to distribute fuel more evenly. A stoker furnace is generally characterized by a flame temperature between 1,200 and 1,300 ° C. and a very long residence time.

  Because combustion in a fixed bed 220 system is relatively uneven, there may be intermittent emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide ("NOx"), and volatiles during the combustion process. Combustion chemistry and temperature can vary substantially across the combustion grate. The release of SO2 depends on the sulfur content of the supplied coal. Residual ash can have a high carbon content (4-5%) due to relatively inefficient combustion and because of limited oxygen access to the carbon content of the coal. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the unique characteristics allow coal to be advantageously burned in a fixed bed 220 system. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for combustion in a fixed bed 220 system.

In an embodiment, pulverized coal combustion (“PCC”) 222 may be used as a method of combustion 200 for power generation 204. As shown in FIG. 2, PCC 222 may be used with coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein. For PCC, coal can be pulverized (pulverized) into a fine powder. The pulverized coal passes through a series of burner nozzles and is blown into the boiler by a portion of the air for combustion. Secondary or tertiary air can also be added. The unit operates near atmospheric pressure. Combustion occurs at temperatures between 1,300 and 1700C depending on the coal class. For bituminous coal, the combustion temperature is maintained between 1500-1700 ° C. For lower coals, the range is 1300-1600 ° C. The particle size of the coal used in the pulverized coal process ranges from about 10 to 100 microns. The residence time of the particles is typically 1-5 seconds and the particles must be sized so that they are completely burned during this time. Steam is generated by a process that can drive a steam generator or turbine for power generation 204.

  The pulverized coal combustor 222 can supply a wall ignition or a tangential ignition burner. Wall ignition burners are mounted on the combustor wall, while tangential ignition burners are mounted in the corners to direct the flame to the center of the boiler so that air and fuel are mixed more efficiently. In addition, vortex motion is given to the gas during combustion. Depending on whether the ash falls to the bottom as a molten slag or is removed as a dry solid, the boiler can be referred to as either wet or dry. Advantageously, the PCC 222 produces fine fly ash. In general, PCC 222 can yield 65% to 85% fly ash, with the remaining ash taking the form of coarser ash (in dry boilers) or boiler slag (wet boilers).

  In an embodiment, a PCC 222 boiler using smokeless coal as fuel may employ a lower firing burner arrangement, whereby the coal / air mixture is routed to a cone at the boiler base. This arrangement allows for a longer residence time that ensures more complete carbon combustion. Another arrangement, called a cell burner, involves two or three circular burners incorporated into a single vertical assembly that produces a small and intense flame. However, this arrangement can be less advantageous because the hot flame from the burner leads to further NOx formation.

  In an embodiment, a cyclone fired boiler can be employed, otherwise it will be difficult to use with PCC 222 for coal with a low ash melting temperature. The cyclone combustion furnace has a combustion chamber mounted outside the tapered main boiler. While the primary combustion air carries the coal particles into the furnace, the secondary air is injected tangentially into the cyclone, creating a strong vortex that introduces larger coal particles toward the furnace wall. The tertiary air enters directly into the cyclone central vortex to control the central vacuum and the position of the combustion zone within the furnace. The relatively large coal particles are trapped in the molten layer covering the inner surface of the cyclone and then recycled for more complete combustion. Relatively small coal particles enter the center of the vortex for combustion. This system results in high heat formation in the furnace, so coal is burned at very high temperatures. Combustion gas, residual char, and fly ash enter the boiler chamber for more complete combustion. The molten ash flows by gravity to the bottom of the furnace for removal.

  In the cyclone boiler, 80 to 90% of the ash goes out from the bottom of the boiler as molten slag, so that less scattered ash is discharged through the boiler heat transfer section. These boilers operate at high temperatures (from 1,650 to 2,000 ° C. or higher) and are almost at atmospheric pressure. The high temperature results in high production of NOx, which is very disadvantageous for this type of boiler. Cyclone fired boilers have volatiles above 15% (anhydrous basis), ash content between 6-25% for bituminous coal, or 4-25% for subbituminous coal, and less than 20% for bituminous coal And for sub-bituminous coal, coal with certain key characteristics can be used, such as 30% moisture content. Ash must have certain slag viscosity characteristics, and the behavior of ash slag is particularly important for the function of this type of boiler. This type of boiler can burn high moisture fuel, but requires design changes.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be advantageously burned in the PCC 222 system. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for combustion in the PCC 222 system.

  PCC can be used in combination with subcritical or supercritical vapor cycling. The supercritical steam cycle operates at or above the critical temperature of water (374 ° F.) and critical pressure (22.1 mPa), in which case no water vapor or liquid phase exists. Subcritical systems typically achieve 33-34% thermal efficiency. Supercritical systems can achieve 3-5 percent higher thermal efficiency than subcritical systems.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that increasing the thermal efficiency of coal combustion 200 results in lower costs for power generation 204 because less fuel is required. The increase in thermal efficiency also reduces other emissions generated during combustion, such as those of SO2 and NOx. A relatively old and small unit that burns low-grade coal has a thermal efficiency as low as 30%. For larger plants with subcritical steam boilers burning higher quality coal, thermal efficiency can be in the region of 35-36%. Equipment using supercritical steam can achieve overall thermal efficiencies in the range of 43-45%. The maximum efficiency achievable with low grade and low grade coal may be lower than that achieved with high grade or high grade coal. For example, the maximum efficiency expected for a new lignite fired plant (eg in Europe) may be about 42%, while an equivalent new bituminous coal plant will achieve a maximum thermal efficiency of about 45%. Can do. A supercritical steam plant using bituminous coal and other optimal components can produce a net thermal efficiency of 45-47%. Thus, coal treated according to the systems and methods described herein can be advantageously designed to optimize thermal efficiency.

  In an embodiment, a fluidized bed combustion (“FBC”) 224 system may be used with coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein. The FBC 224 system operates on the principle of fluidization, a condition that gives a solid material a free-flowing fluid-like behavior. As the gas passes through the bed of solid particles upward, the gas flow creates a force that tends to separate the particles from each other. In the FBC 224 system, coal is burned in a bed of hot non-combustible particles suspended by the upflow of a fluidized gas stream. The coal in the FBC 224 system can be mixed with an adsorbent, such as limestone, and the mixture is fluidized during combustion to allow complete combustion and removal of sulfur gas. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be advantageously burned in the FBC 224 system. Accordingly, coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for combustion in the FBC 224 system. Exemplary embodiments of the FBC 224 system are described in further detail below.

  For power generation 204, the FBC 224 system is used primarily with subcritical steam turbines. The atmospheric pressure FBC 224 system may be bubbling or circulating. Currently, the pressurized FBC 224 system, which is in the early stages of development, mainly uses a bubbling bed and can produce power in a combined cycle with gas and steam turbines. Coarse coal particles with a size of about 3 mm can be used. Atmospheric pressure FBC 224 may be useful for high ash coal or those with variable properties. Such combustion results in lower NOx emissions than the PCC 222 system because combustion occurs at temperatures between 800-900 ° C. that are substantially below the threshold for forming NOx.

Since the bubbling bed has a low fluidization rate, the coal particles are held in a bed about 1 mm deep with an identifiable surface. As the coal particles burn out and become even smaller, they are carried away with the coal gas removed as fly ash. Because the circulating bed uses a higher fluidization rate, the coal particles float in the flue gas and pass through the main combustion chamber into the cyclone. Larger coal particles are extracted from the gas and recycled into the combustion chamber. Individual particles can be recycled between 10 and 50 times, depending on their combustion characteristics. Combustion conditions are relatively uniform throughout the combustor and there is a large amount of particle mixing. Although the coal solids are distributed throughout the unit, a dense bed is required in the lower furnace to mix the fuel during combustion. For floor-burned bituminous coal, the carbon content of the bed is about 1%, with the remainder made of ash and other minerals.

  The circulating FBC 224 system can be designed for specific types of coal. In embodiments, these systems are particularly useful for low grade, high ash content coals that are difficult to finely pulverize and can have variable combustion characteristics. In embodiments, these systems are also useful for co-firing coal with other fuels, such as biomass or waste in a combined combustion 228 system. Once the FBC 224 unit is built, it can operate most efficiently with the fuels that are designed for it. Various designs can be employed. The thermal efficiency of the circulating FBC 224 is generally slightly lower than an equivalent PCC system. The use of low grade coal with variable properties can further reduce thermal efficiency.

  The FBC 224 in a pressurized system may be useful for low grade coal and those with variable combustion characteristics. In a pressurized system, the combustor and gas cyclone are all enclosed in a pressure vessel, coal and adsorbent are fed into the system across the pressure boundary, and ash is removed across the pressure boundary. If anthracite is used, coal and limestone can be mixed with 25% water and fed into the system as a paste. The system can be operated at pressures of 1-1.5 MPa with combustion temperatures between 800-900 ° C. Combustion can also heat a steam and produce a hot gas to drive a gas turbine, as in a conventional boiler. The pressurization unit is designed to have a thermal efficiency of 40% or more, even at low emissions. Next generation pressurized FBC systems can include improvements that produce thermal efficiencies greater than 50%.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the coal combustion 200 can be employed for metallurgical purposes 208 such as iron and steel smelting. In some embodiments, bituminous coal with certain properties may be suitable for smelting without pre-coking. By way of example, coal with properties such as solubility and other fixed factors including high fixed carbon content, low ash content (less than 5%), low sulfur content, and low calcite (CaCO3) content may be used for metallurgical purposes. 208 may be suitable. Coal having properties suitable for metallurgical purposes 208 may be 15 to 50% more valuable than the coal used for power generation 204. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be advantageously burned in a metallurgical 208 system. Accordingly, coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for combustion in a metallurgical 208 system.

  Referring to FIG. 2, coal processed by the systems and methods described herein can be used in a coal conversion facility 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the coal conversion facility 210 uses, for example, a system for gasification 230, synthesis gas production and conversion 234, coke and refined carbon formation 238, and hydrocarbon formation 240 to produce coal. Complex hydrocarbons can be converted to other products. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in the coal conversion facility 210. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in the coal conversion facility 210.

In embodiments, coal that is processed by the systems and methods described herein may be used for gasification 230. Gasification 230 involves the conversion of coal into combustible gases, volatiles, char, and mineral residues (ash / slag). The gasification 230 system converts a hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, into a gaseous component by applying heat under pressure, typically in the presence of steam. An apparatus that performs this process is called a gasifier.
Gasification 230 differs from combustion because it is generated with limited available air or oxygen. Thus, only a small part of the fuel is completely burned. The burning fuel provides heat for the rest of the gasification 230 process.

  During gasification 230, most hydrocarbon feedstock (eg, coal) is broken down into various other materials collectively referred to as “syngas”. Syngas is primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other gaseous compounds. However, the components of the synthesis gas differ based on the type of raw material used and the gasification conditions employed. The remaining mineral in the raw material is not gasified unlike the carbonaceous material, and can be separated and removed. Sulfur impurities in coal can form hydrogen sulfide, from which sulfur or sulfuric acid can be produced. Since gasification occurs under reducing conditions, NOx typically does not form and ammonia forms instead. Oxygen is used in place of air during gasification 230, and carbon dioxide is produced in a concentrated gas stream that can be sequestered and prevented from entering the atmosphere as a contaminant.

  The gasification 230 may be able to use coal that is difficult to use in the combustion 200 facility, such as coal having a high sulfur or high ash content. The ash characteristics of coal used in gasifiers can affect the efficiency of the process, both because it affects slag formation and affects solid deposition in the syngas cooler or heat exchanger. Affect. At low temperatures, such as those found in fixed beds and fluidized gasifiers, tar formation can cause problems. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in gasification 230 facilities. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in gasification 230 facilities.

  In an embodiment, three types of gasifier systems may be available: a fixed bed, a fluidized bed, and a spouted bed. Fixed bed units that are not normally used for power generation use lump coal. The fluidized bed uses 3-6 mm size coal. The spouted bed unit uses pulverized coal. The spouted bed unit operates at a higher operating temperature (about 1,600 ° C.) than the fluidized bed system (about 900 ° C.).

  In embodiments, the gasifier can operate at atmospheric pressure or can be pressurized. By pressurized gasification, the raw coal can be inserted across the pressure barrier. A large and expensive lock hopper system can be used to insert the coal, or the coal can be supplied as an aqueous slurry. The byproduct stream is then depressurized and removed across the pressure barrier. Inside, the heat exchanger for the synthesis gas and the gas cleaning unit are also pressurized.

Although it is understood that the gasification 230 facility may not involve combustion, nevertheless, the gasification 230 may be used for power generation in some embodiments. For example, a gasification 230 facility where power is generated may utilize a gasification combined cycle (“IGCC”) 232 system. In the IGCC system 232, the synthesis gas produced during gasification is free of impurities (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, particulate matter, and the like) and can be burned to drive a gas turbine. In the IGCC system 232, the exhaust gas from gasification can also exchange heat with water to produce superheated steam that drives the steam turbine. Because the IGCC system 232 uses a combination of two turbines (gas combustion turbine and steam turbine), such a system is referred to as a “combined cycle”. Generally, the majority of power (60-70%) comes from the gas turbine in this system. The IGCC system 232 generates power with higher thermal efficiency than the coal combustion system. One skilled in the art will understand that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in IGCC 232 facilities. Accordingly, coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in IGCC 232 facilities.

  In an embodiment, the coal processed by the systems and methods described herein can be used to produce syngas 234 or to convert it to various other products. For example, carbon monoxide and its components, such as hydrogen, can be used to produce a wide range of liquid or gas fuels using processes well known in the art. As another example, the hydrogen produced during gasification can be used as a fuel for a fuel cell or potentially in a hydrogen turbine or a hybrid fuel cell turbine system. Hydrogen separated from the gas stream can also be used as a refinery feedstock that uses hydrogen to produce improved petroleum products.

  Syngas 234 can also be converted into fuel or various hydrocarbons that can be used for further processing. Syngas 234 can be condensed to light hydrocarbons using, for example, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. The light hydrocarbons can then be further converted to gasoline or diesel fuel. Syngas 234 can also be converted into a building block for methanol, fuel additives, or gasoline production that can be used as a fuel. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in synthesis gas production or conversion 234 facilities. Accordingly, coal processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in synthesis gas production or conversion 234 equipment.

  In an embodiment, the coal treated by the systems and methods described herein can be converted 238 into coke or refined carbon. Coke 238 is a solid carbonaceous residue derived from coal whose volatile components have been removed by baking in an oven at high temperatures (as high as 1,000 ° C.). At such temperatures, fixed carbon and residual ash are fused together. The raw material for forming coke is typically low ash, low sulfur bituminous coal. Coke can be used as fuel, for example, while smelting iron in a blast furnace. Coke is also useful as a reducing agent in such processes. The step of converting coal to coke can also produce by-products such as coal tar, ammonia, light oil, and coal gas. Because the volatile components of coal are removed during the coking process 238, coke is a desirable fuel for furnaces where conditions may not be suitable for burning the coal itself. For example, coke can be burned with little or no smoke under combustion conditions that cause a large release when using bituminous coal itself.

  Before coal can be used as coking coal, it must desirably meet certain stringent standards for moisture content, ash content, sulfur content, volatile content, tar, and plasticity. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in the coke production facility 238. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use to produce coke 238.

In an embodiment, amorphous pure carbon 238 can be obtained by heating the coal to a temperature of about 650-980 ° C. in a limited atmospheric environment so that complete combustion does not occur. Amorphous carbon 238 is in the form of carbon allotrope graphite consisting of fine carbon crystals. Thus, the resulting amorphous carbon 238 has a number of industrial uses. For example, graphite can be used for electrochemical components, activated carbon can be used for water and air cleaning, and carbon black can be used to reinforce tires. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in the refined carbon production facility 238. Accordingly, coal that is processed in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use to produce refined carbon 238.

  In an embodiment, the basic process of coke production 238 can be used to produce a hydrocarbon-containing 240 gas mixture (“city gas”) that can be used as a fuel. City gas may include, for example, about 51% hydrogen, 15% carbon monoxide, 21% methane, 10% carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and about 3% other alkanes. Other processes, such as the Lurgi process and Sabatier synthesis, use low quality coal to produce methane.

  In an embodiment, coal processed with the systems and methods described herein may be converted to a hydrocarbon product 240. For example, liquefaction converts coal into a product of liquid hydrocarbon 240 that can be used as a fuel. Coal can be liquefied using direct or indirect processes. Any process that converts coal to hydrocarbon 240 fuel must add hydrocarbons, including coal, to hydrogen. (1) coal is heated in the absence of air or in the presence of hydrogen, pyrolysis and hydrocarbonation, (2) coal hydrocarbons are selectively dissolved from the coal mass and hydrogen is added 4 types of solvent extraction, (3) catalyst liquefaction of coal hydrocarbons, catalyst liquefaction, and (4) indirect liquefaction where carbon monoxide and hydrogen are combined in the presence of the catalyst. Liquefaction methods are available. As an example, the Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalytic chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into various forms of liquid hydrocarbons 240. The material produced by this process can include synthetic petroleum substitutes that can be used as lubricating oils or fuels.

  As another example, low temperature carbonization can be used to produce liquid hydrocarbons 240 from coal. In this process, the coal is coked 238 at a temperature between 450-700 ° C. (compared to 800-1,000 ° C. for metallurgical coke). Such a temperature optimizes the production of coal tar that is richer in light hydrocarbons 240 than normal coal tar. The coal tar is then further processed into fuel.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously in hydrocarbon product formation 240. Accordingly, coal that is treated in accordance with the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use to produce hydrocarbons 240.

With reference to FIG. 2, the coal processed by the systems and methods described herein can be used in the coal by-product facility 212. As shown in FIG. 2, the coal byproduct facility 212 can convert coal into a coal combustion byproduct 242 and a coal distillation byproduct 244.

  In embodiments, various coal combustion by-products 242 can be obtained. As an example, the coal combustion by-product 242 can include volatile hydrocarbons, ash, sulfur, carbon dioxide, water, and the like. Further processing of these by-products can be performed with economic benefits. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be used advantageously to produce economically beneficial combustion byproducts. Accordingly, coal treated according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in producing useful combustion byproducts.

As an example, the volatile material is a coal combustion byproduct 242. Volatile materials are products, excluding moisture, that are released as a gas or vapor during heating. For coal, the volatile fraction can be determined by first heating the coal to 105 ° C. to remove moisture, then heating the coal to 950 ° C. and measuring the weight loss. Volatile materials can include mixtures of short and long chain hydrocarbons and other gases including sulfur. Thus, the volatile material can consist of a mixture of gas, low boiling organic compounds that aggregate into oil upon cooling, and tar. Volatile substances in coal increase with class reduction. Furthermore, coal with a high content of volatile substances is very reactive during combustion and easily ignites.

  As another example, coal ash is a coal combustion byproduct 242. Coal ash is made up of fly ash (waste removed from the large chimney) and bottom ash (from the boiler and combustion chamber). Coarse particles (bottom ash and / or boiler slag) sink to the bottom of the combustion chamber and fine portions (sprayed ash) escape through the flue and are regenerated and recycled. Coal ash can contain enrichments for many trace elements and heavy metals, including Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn. Ash collected after coal combustion is useful as an additive to cement products, as a filler for excavation or civil engineering, as a soil conditioner, and as a component of other products including paints, plastics, coatings and adhesives It can be.

  As another example, sulfur is a coal combustion byproduct 242. Sulfur in coal can be released as sulfur oxide during combustion or retained in coal by reacting with the base oxide contained in mineral impurities (a process known as sulfur retention) Can do. The most important basic oxide for sulfur retention is CaO formed as a result of CaCO3 decomposition and combustion of calcium-containing organic groups. Coal combustion occurs in two successive steps, liquefaction and char combustion. During liquefaction, combustible sulfur is converted to SO2. During char combustion, the processes of SO2 formation, sulfurization, and CaSO4 decomposition occur simultaneously.

  In embodiments, various coal distillation products 244 can be obtained. Coal cracking 244 produces coal tar and coal gas in addition to metallurgical coke. The use for metallurgical coke and coal gas as products of coal conversion has been described above. The third byproduct, coal tar, has a variety of other commercial uses. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be advantageously used to produce an economically beneficial distillation byproduct 244. Accordingly, coal treated according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed for use in producing useful distillation by-products 244.

  Coal tar is an example of a coal distillation byproduct 244. Coal tar is a complex mixture of hydrocarbon materials. Most of its components are aromatic hydrocarbons of different composition and volatility, from the simplest and most volatile (benzene) to high molecular weight multi-ring non-volatiles. The hydrocarbons in coal tar are mostly benzene based, naphthalene based, or anthracene or phenanthrene based. There may be variable amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons, paraffins, and olefins. Coal tar also contains small amounts of simple phenols such as carboxylic acid and coumarone. Sulfur compounds and nitrided organic compounds can also be found. Most nitrogen compounds in coal are basic in nature and belong to the pyridine and quinoline families, such as aniline.

  In embodiments, coal tar can be further subjected to fractional distillation to yield a number of useful organic chemicals, including benzene, toluene, xylene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. These materials can be referred to as crude coal tar products. They form the basis for the synthesis of numerous products such as dyes, drugs, seasonings, fragrances, synthetic resins, paints, preservatives, and explosives. After fractional distillation of the crude coal tar product, a pitch residue remains. This material can be used for purposes such as roofing, pavement, insulation, and waterproofing.

  In embodiments, coal tar can also be used in its natural state without being subjected to fractional distillation. For example, it can be heated to some extent to remove its volatile components before use. The coal tar in its natural state can be employed as a paint, weathering agent, or corrosion protection. Coal tar is also used as a roofing material. Coal tar can be burned as a fuel, but produces toxic gases during combustion. Burning tar produces a large amount of soot called oil smoke. If soot is collected, it can be used to produce carbon for electrochemistry, printing, dyes and the like.

  With reference to FIG. 2, coal processed by the systems and methods described herein may be transported at shipping facility 214 or stored at storage facility 218. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics allow coal to be transported and stored safely and efficiently. Accordingly, coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed to facilitate its shipping and storage.

  In embodiments, coal may be transported from where it is mined to where it is used. Coal transportation can be performed at the shipping facility 214. Before being transported, the coal can be cleaned, screened and / or crushed to a specific size. In some cases, the power plant can be located on site or near a mine that provides coal to the plant. For these facilities, coal can be transported by conveyors and the like. However, in most cases, the power plant and other facilities that use coal are located remotely. The main transportation method from the mine to the remote facilities is by rail. Cargo ships and other marine vessels can also be used. Highway transportation by truck is feasible, but may not be cost effective, especially for travel over 50 miles. The coal slurry pipeline transports powdered coal suspended in water. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain handling suitability facilitates coal transport at the shipping facility 214. Accordingly, coal treated according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed to facilitate its transport.

  In an embodiment, the coal may be stored in the storage facility 218 either at the location where it is used or at a remote location from which it can be transported to the point of use. In embodiments such as the coal combustion facility 200 and other coal utilization plants, the coal can be stored in situ. As an example, power plant 204 can store more than 10% of the annual coal requirements. However, excessive stocks of stored coal can cause problems with the risk of spontaneous ignition, loss of volatiles, and loss of heat generation. Anthracite may present a lower risk than other coal classes. For example, anthracite coal may be unaffected by spontaneous ignition and can be stored in an unlimited amount per pile of coal. In contrast, bituminous coal may ignite spontaneously when placed in a large pile and may cause powdering.

Two types of changes can occur in stored coal. Inorganic substances such as metal sulfide minerals can be oxidized, and organic substances in the coal itself can be oxidized. As the minerals oxidize, the volume and / or weight of the coal can increase and the coal can decompose. If the coal material itself is oxidized, the change may not be immediately perceptible. The oxidation of organic matter in coal is accompanied by changes that can cause loss of heat generation, such as the oxidation of carbon and hydrogen in coal and the absorption of oxygen by unsaturated hydrocarbons. These changes can also cause spontaneous ignition. One skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics of the coal minimize the degradation that can occur in the coal stored in the storage facility 218. Accordingly, coal that is processed according to the systems and methods described herein can be more specifically designed to allow its safe storage in storage facility 218.

  A more detailed description will now be presented regarding the individual components of the solid fuel treatment facility, its inputs, outputs, and related methods and systems.

  Coal is formed from plants that break down without access to air under the influence of moisture, high pressure, and high temperature. There are two steps in coal formation. The first step is biological and cellulose is converted to peat. The second step is physicochemical and peat is converted to coal. The geological process that forms coal is called coalification. As coalification proceeds, the chemical composition of coal gradually changes to compounds with higher carbon content and lower hydrogen content, as can be seen in the aromatic ring structure.

  The type of coal, or coal class, indicates the degree of coal formation that has occurred. The highest to lowest coal classes include anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite / lignite. As the degree of coalification increases, the proportion of volatile substances decreases and the calorific value increases. Thus, higher class coal has less volatile material and higher heating value. Also, generally, with increasing class, coal has less moisture, less oxygen, more fixed carbon, more sulfur, and more ash. The term “grade” is divided into two coals in terms of ash content and sulfur content.

  All coal contains minerals. These minerals are inorganic substances found in coal. Mineral constituents incorporated into the coal material itself are referred to as inclusion minerals. Mineral constituents that are separated from the coal matrix are referred to as excluded minerals. Excluded minerals can be dispersed between coal particles or can be present by chance due to mining techniques that draw from adjacent mineral layers. Inorganic matter in coal becomes ash after coal combustion or coal conversion.

  Unbonded carbon in coal is referred to as its fixed carbon content. A certain amount of total carbon combines with hydrogen and burns as a hydrocarbon. This forms volatiles in the coal, along with other gases that form when the coal is heated. Fixed carbon and volatile materials form flammable materials. Oxygen and nitrogen contained in volatile materials are included as part of the combustible material, understood as the amount of moisture and ash free coal. In addition to combustible materials, coal contains various minerals that form moisture and ash. The ash content of US coal can vary from about 3% to 30%. The moisture can vary from 0.75% to 45% of the total weight of the coal.

  Large amounts of ash are undesirable because they reduce the calorific value of the coal and interfere with combustion by clogging the vents in the furnace. If the coal also has a high sulfur content, the sulfur can combine with the ash to form a soluble slag that can further hinder effective combustion in the furnace. The water in the coal absorbs heat as it evaporates, thus lowering the furnace temperature and can cause problems during combustion.

  While the techniques discussed in this application are applied to the step of using coal as a single fuel for exemplary purposes, techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used to produce other fuels such as biomass or waste. It is understood that the present invention can be applied to the step of using coal in combination.

  There may be two basic methods of coal mining 102: open pit mining or underground mining. Surface mining methods can include open surface mining, contour mining, and open pit mining.

An open pit may be covered with a non-coal material called topsoil, which can be removed before mining the coal. Open-pit mining can be seen on flat ground, contour mining can follow a coal seam along a hill or mountain, and open-pit mining can be a thick coal seam and several feet deep. Equipment used in open pit coal mines can include drag nets, excavators, bulldozers, front end loaders, bucket wheel excavators, and trucks.

  There are three basic methods of extracting coal from underground coal mine 102: columnar, longwall, and standard blasting and coal emissions. Pillar mining can consist of continuous destruction of coal by a coal mining machine and moving the coal left and right to a belt for discharge. After the specified distance, the process is repeated with the ceiling supported. Longwall mining can consist of moving a mining machine across a long continuous wall of coal, where the coal is discharged by a belt system. The roof can be supported by steel beams that are part of the longwall mining machine. Standard blasting and removal mining methods can blast coal with explosives, and then use standard equipment (eg, belt systems, rails, tractors) to discharge the coal.

  The coal mine 102 can consist of two or more coal seams, which can be continuous lines of coal. Coal mine 102 may include a plurality of different coal types having known characteristics 110 within the coal mine and / or coal seam. Some of the defined coal types can include peat, lignite, lignite, subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite. The coal mine 102 can test the properties 110 of the coal in the coal mine and / or coal seam. Testing of characteristic 110 may be by sampling, periodic, continuous, or the like. The coal mine can test the coal in situ for the determination of the coal properties 110 or send a sample of the coal to an external test facility. The mining operation can investigate the mine, classify the types of coal contained in the mine, and determine where and what type of coal is in the mine. Different coal types can have a standard classification 110 by moisture content, minerals, and substances such as sulfur, ash, metals, and the like. The proportion of moisture and other substances in certain types of coal can affect the combustion characteristics and heating capacity (BTU / lb) of the coal. The operator of the coal mine 102 is most common to the market or customer to maintain a consistent type of coal for supply to customers or to mine one type of coal that is well accepted in the market Coal can be selectively mined from a coal mine to provide coal or the like. In embodiments, low moisture coal such as bituminous coal and anthracite coal can provide better combustion and heating characteristics.

  In an embodiment, the coal mining 102 facility may include coal sizing, storage 104, and shipping 108 facilities for handling mined coal.

  Coal sizing equipment can be used to turn the mined raw coal into a more desirable shape and size of coal. Coal can be sized within a mine surface facility by a crusher, coal crusher, ball mill, grinder, or the like. Coal can be fed from the mine to the coal sizing facility by a belt system, by truck, or the like, the coal sizing can be done in a continuous feed process, or to resize the coal A batch process can be used.

  The storage facility 104 can be used to temporarily store raw or resized coal from the coal sizing facility before shipping the coal to the customer. The storage facility 104 can contain additional sorting facilities that can further classify raw or resized coal according to the size of the coal. The storage facility 104 may be a building, shed, rail vehicle, open space, or the like.

The storage facility 104 can be associated with the shipping facility 108 by being near the coal transportation method. The shipping facility 108 may use rails, trucks, or the like to move coal from the coal mine 102 to the customer. The shipping facility 108 can use conveyor belts 300, trucks, loaders, or the like, either individually or in combination, to move coal to the coal transportation method. Depending on the amount of coal mine, the shipping facility 108 can be a continuous loading operation or can ship coal in an on-demand process.

  The coal storage facility 112 may be a coal reseller for at least one remotely located coal source, and may purchase, store, and resell different coal types to various customers. The coal source for the coal storage facility 112 may be the coal mine 102 or another coal storage facility 112. Coal storage facility 112 can receive and store multiple coal types from multiple remotely located coal sources. In the embodiment, the coal storage facility 112 can store coal according to coal type. Coal types can include, but are not limited to, peat, lignite, lignite, subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite. Coal storage facilities may include storage facilities 114, shipping facilities 118, or other facilities for handling, storing, and shipping coal. In an embodiment, the coal storage facility 112 may purchase coal from a remote location mine based on specifications for later resale.

  The coal storage facility 112 can receive coal from a remotely located coal source, and the coal type and characteristics 110 can be provided by the coal source. The storage facility 112 can also perform additional coal tests to either verify the received coal characteristics or further classify the coal, and the coal storage facility 112 can be used for different coal customers. Coal species can be stored. The sub-coal species may be a further classification of coal according to coal characteristics 110. The storage facility 112 may have an on-site coal test facility or may use a standard coal test laboratory.

  The storage facility 114 can be used to store coal from a remotely located coal source prior to shipping the coal to the customer. The storage facility 114 can include additional sorting facilities that can further classify the coal according to coal size or coal characteristics 110. Additional sorting equipment can further determine the size of the coal using a crusher, coal crusher, ball mill, grinder, or the like. The storage facility 114 may be a building, shed, rail vehicle, open space, or the like.

  The storage facility 114 can be associated with the shipping facility 118 by becoming close to a coal transportation method. The shipping facility 118 may use rails, trucks, or the like to move coal from the storage facility 114 to the customer. The shipping facility 118 can use conveyor belts 300, trucks, loaders, or the like, either separately or in combination, to move coal to the coal transport method. Depending on the capacity of the storage facility 112, the shipping facility 118 can be a continuous loading operation or can ship coal in an on-demand process.

Coal sample data 120 may be a storage location for coal classification 110 data. Coal sample data 120 may be a database, relational database, table, text file, XML file, RSS, flat file, or the like that can store coal properties 110. The data can be stored on a computing device, which can include a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the coal characteristics 110 data may be shipped with a coal shipment in paper hard copy, electronic format, database, or the like. When shipping coal characteristics with a hard copy of paper, the characteristic data can be entered into a suitable coal sample data format on a computer device. In an embodiment, coal characteristic 110 data may be transmitted from coal mine 102, coal storage facility 112, or the like by email, FTP, Internet connection, WAN, LAN, P2P, or the like. Coal sample data 120 may be maintained by coal mine 102, coal storage facility 112, receiving facility, or the like. Coal sample data 120 may be accessible over a network that may include the Internet.

  Coal sample data 120 was received, transmission coal mine name, storage equipment name, coal end use, desired characteristics, possible final characteristics, coal characteristics (eg, moisture), coal test equipment used, coal test date, As such or whether it was tested dry, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, verification test equipment, verification test date, and the like. In the embodiment, there may be at least one of coal characteristic test data and a test date for each coal sample.

  In an embodiment, the coal characteristics stored in the coal sample data 120 may be provided by a standards laboratory such as Standard Laboratories of South Charleston, West Virginia, USA. Standards Laboratory: moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon rate, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, melting of ash Coal properties can be provided, which can include temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. In embodiments, the standards laboratory can test the coal as received or in a dry state. In an embodiment, the test as received may be as the raw coal is received without processing. In an embodiment, the dry test may be processed coal that removes residual water. Standards Laboratory calculates ASTM standard D388 (classified coal classification), ASTM standard D2013 (method of preparing coal samples for analysis), ASTM standard D3180 (coal and coke analysis from default to different bases) Can be used to classify coal using standards such as US Geologic Survey Bulletin 1823 (Method for Coal Sampling and Inorganic Analysis), and the like.

  In an embodiment, for each coal shipment, there may be at least one data stored in the coal sample data. There may be more than one data record if coal shipments are checked randomly or periodically during the mining, storage, or shipping process. In an embodiment, each test performed on coal shipment may have coal characteristics stored in the coal sample data 120. Coal characterization tests can be performed upon request of coal mine 102, storage facility 112, receiving facility, or the like.

  The desired coal characteristics 122 may be a database of treated coal combustion characteristics required by a coal-using facility. The desired coal characteristic 122 is a database, relational database, table, text file, XML file, RSS, flat file, or the like that can store the required combustion characteristics of the coal for a particular coal-using facility. May be. The coal desired characteristics 122 data may be stored on a computing device, which may include a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like.

  In an embodiment, there may be at least one coal desired property 122 data for a particular coal-using facility. There may be data of desired coal characteristics 122 for each type of coal received or stored by the solid fuel treatment facility 132. In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may receive or store multiple coal types that may include peat, lignite, lignite, subbituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite. Each type of coal can have different desired characteristics 122 for the coal-using facility, which can be based on the ability to modify the characteristics 110 of the coal received or stored. In an embodiment, the characteristics of the coal received or stored can be stored in the coal sample data 120.

  Desired characteristics 122 of coal include system capacity, coal size, process chamber type, conveyor system size, conveyor system flow rate, electromagnetic frequency, electromagnetic force level, duration of electromagnetic force, depth of power transmission to coal. And the like, and the like, based on capacity parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132. These parameter types and values can vary depending on the input coal characteristics. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can know which coal types can be used by the coal-using facility and select the appropriate parameters from the desired coal characteristics 122 to process from the coal-using facility. Spent coal can be produced.

In an embodiment, a coal-using facility may require certain coal operating parameters such as BTU / lb, sulfur content, ash content, metal content, and the like to meet efficiency or environmental requirements. it can. The desired characteristics 122 of coal can be based on these parameters, and maintaining these parameters can allow the coal-using facility to meet the requirements for coal combustion emissions.

  In an embodiment, the desired coal characteristics 122 may target specific coal combustion characteristics such as BTU / lb, moisture, sulfur, ash, and the like. In an embodiment, the specific coal combustion characteristics may only be limited by the ability of the coal treatment facility to measure the coal treatment characteristics. For example, if the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can only measure moisture and sulfur emissions, the target specific coal combustion characteristics may contain only moisture and sulfur targets.

  The solid fuel treatment facility 132 (equipment) may be part of the coal by removing non-coal products such as moisture, sulfur, ash, water, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, and the like, Can be used to modify the grade. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may use microwave energy and / or other means to remove non-coal products from the coal. The solid fuel processing facility 132 may include multiple devices, modules, facilities, computer equipment, and the like for handling, moving, and processing coal. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be modular, expandable, portable, stationary, or the like.

  In embodiments, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 is an apparatus, module, facility, computer device, and the like designed to be fully separate units that can be associated with each other in a predetermined or non-predetermined manner. There may be modular equipment with something.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be scalable for both continuous flow and batch processes. For continuous flow, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can scale the input, processing chamber, output, and the like to meet the amount required for a particular facility. For example, a power generation facility may require a greater amount of treated coal than a metallurgical facility, and thus the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be scaled to process the required amount of coal. Continuous flow processing of coal can include a chamber having a belt for moving the coal through a process. The chamber and belt system can be scaled to provide the required amount per hour for the facility.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may use a batch process, and the batch processing chamber, input, output, and the like may be scaled to the amount of coal that needs to be processed. it can. Coal batch processing can include an enclosed chamber that can process an amount of coal in each cycle.

  The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be mobile, capable of being moved between facilities or to multiple locations within a facility. For example, a single company may have multiple facilities that may require treated coal and may have a single solid fuel processing facility 132 that processes the coal. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 can spend a certain amount of time at each enterprise facility and provide a certain amount of treated coal before moving to the next enterprise facility. In another example, the storage facility 112 moves between multiple locations within the storage facility 112 to process a single solid fuel processing facility 132 that processes multiple coal types that can be stored in the storage facility 112. Can have. In an embodiment, by being mobile, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may also be modular so that the facility 132 can be easily transferred.

  The solid fuel processing facility 132 may be a fixed structure that remains in place in a facility. In an embodiment, a facility may require an amount of treated coal that requires a solid fuel treatment facility 132 that produces a continuous flow of treated coal. For example, a power generation facility may require a continuous amount of treated coal that requires a dedicated solid fuel processing facility 132.

  In embodiments, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be inline or offline to the facility. The solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be in-line with the facility to provide a continuous flow of treated coal for processes within the coal use facility. For example, the power generation facility may have a solid fuel processing facility 132 that feeds the boiler directly to produce steam. The solid fuel processing facility 132 may be offline from the facility by processing coal with output to at least one storage location. For example, a power generation facility may have a solid fuel processing facility 132 that stores different types of coal as it is processed. The treated coal can then be fed onto a system of conveyor belts 300 as needed to a power generation facility.

  The solid fuel processing facility 132 includes a parameter generation facility 128, an intake facility 124, a monitoring facility 134, a gas generation facility 152, an ignition prevention facility 154, a disposal facility 158, a processing facility 160, a storage facility 162, a belt facility 130, and a cooling facility 164. A plurality of devices, modules, equipment, computer equipment, and the like, such as, take-out equipment 168, and test equipment 170.

  The parameter generation facility 128 may be a computer device such as a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. The parameter generation facility 128 may generate and supply operational parameters to the solid fuel processing facility 132 for processing of received or stored coal. The parameter generation facility 128 may be capable of calculating and storing operational parameters for the facility. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may use data from both the coal sample data 120 and the desired characteristics 122 of the coal to generate operational parameters. In an embodiment, the coal sample data 120 and coal desired characteristics 122 information may be available by LAN, WAN, P2P, CD, DVD, flash memory, or the like.

In an embodiment, the coal being processed by the facility 132 may be identifiable by an operator of the solid fuel processing facility 132. In embodiments, the coal can be identified by type, batch number, test number, identification number, or the like. The parameter generation facility 128 can access coal test information stored in the coal sample data 120 and the coal desired property 122 data for the identified coal. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may receive coal receipt and stored test data from the coal sample data 120. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 is
From the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, the desired treated coal characteristics can be recovered. In an embodiment, there may be at least one set of desired treated coal characteristics for each received or stored coal test data. If there is more than one set of data available for coal test data and desired coal characteristics, the parameter generation facility should average the data, use the latest data, or use the first data You can use data statistics, or do something similar.

  In an embodiment, based on the coal test information and the desired treated coal characteristics, the parameter generation facility may determine a starting operational parameter for the facility. The operational parameters can be used to set various equipment and facility parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 to produce the desired coal characteristics. The determination parameters of the parameter generating equipment 128 are: belt speed, amount of coal per period, microwave frequency, microwave power, coal surface temperature, sensor basic signal, air flow rate, use of inert gas, intake speed, extraction speed, preheating Temperature, preheat time, cooling rate, and the like can be included. In an embodiment, all parameters that the facility may need to process the desired coal can be determined by the parameter generation facility.

  In an embodiment, the microwave frequency parameter may be a single frequency, a phased frequency (eg, transition from one frequency to a second frequency), multiple microwave frequencies, continuous frequency, pulse frequency, It can have multiple settings, which can include pulse frequency duty cycles, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the microwave current parameters are continuous power, pulse power, phased power (eg, transition from one power to a second power), multiple microwave powers, and the like Can have multiple settings.

  In embodiments, the coal surface temperature can be monitored depending on the coal type and the non-coal product removed from the coal. The parameter generation facility 128 can determine the coal surface temperature monitored during coal processing. In embodiments, different coal surface temperatures may be required at different points in the coal treatment process to remove non-coal products. For example, one temperature may be required to remove moisture from the coal. In that case, a second temperature may be required to remove sulfur from the coal. Thus, the parameter generation facility can determine a plurality of coal surface temperatures that are monitored during the coal treatment process. In embodiments, various coal surface temperature parameters can be provided to the sensor facility, and the sensed temperature can range from ambient to 250 ° C. In an embodiment, the coal can be heated to internal and surface temperatures for heating of the non-coal product by the microwave energy of the microwave system 148.

  The intake facility 124 may receive coal from the coal mine 102 or the coal storage facility 112 into the solid fuel treatment facility 132, which may be in the same location as the solid fuel treatment facility 132, or The remote coal storage facility 112 may be used. Intake equipment 124 may include dust collection equipment, sizing and sorting equipment, input sections, transition sections, and adaptive sections, and the like. In an embodiment, the intake facility can control the amount of coal that enters the belt 130 for processing. For example, the intake facility may be able to control the amount of coal passing through it by limiting or opening the door, the speed of the input auger, or the like.

  Coal can be provided to the intake facility 124 by a conveyor belt 300 system, truck, front loader, back loader, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the act of putting coal into the intake facility 124 may result in an unacceptable amount of coal dust, thus providing a dust collection facility. In an embodiment, the coal dust can be collected in a container and removed from the intake facility.

  The solid fuel treatment facility 132 can process the coal more efficiently when a consistent size coal is fed to the belt 130, and the consistent coal size can optimize the microwave heating of the coal. Can do. The intake facility 124 can sort incoming coal into multiple sizes. In embodiments, there may be multiple belts that process different sized coal. Coal can be sorted using a sorting grate, doors with different heights that redirect the coal to another belt, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the intake facility 124 may move coal from the input source to the belt 130 using multiple sections that may include an input section, a transition section, an adaptation section, and the like. In an embodiment, the input section can receive raw coal into the intake facility, and the section is large enough to provide a coal buffer to prevent coal overflow or coal shortage. Also good. In an embodiment, the transition section may be a channel or conduit that moves coal from the input section to the adaptation section, which section may be tapered to properly fit the different sizes of the input and adaptation sections. . In an embodiment, the adaptation section can move coal from the transition section to the processing belt 130, and the exit of this section may be the same size as the belt.

  In embodiments, if there is coal sorting or size sizing, there may be more than one input section, transition section, and adaptation section.

  The monitoring facility 134 can monitor a plurality of facilities, systems, and sensors of the solid fuel processing facility 132. The monitoring facility 134 can receive information and provide it to sensors, controllers, processing facilities, and the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility can perform inter-process coordination of the coal treatment process based on input from various sensors and facilities, for example, the monitor receives information from the moisture and weight sensors and is correct It can be determined whether an amount of moisture has been removed from the coal, and the operating parameters can be adjusted based on the information.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may modify facility operating parameters to adjust the processing of coal in the solid fuel processing facility 132. In embodiments, operational parameter modifications may be provided to other equipment, which may include belt controller 144, processing equipment 160, storage equipment 162, feedback equipment 174, ignition prevention equipment 154, or the like. it can.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may contain a computer device such as a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may communicate with various facilities and sensors using a LAN, WAN, P2P, CD, DVD, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility may use an algorithm to determine a modification of the operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132.

The ignition prevention facility 154 may be a gas source that prevents the ignition of coal during the coal treatment process. Due to the heating of the non-coal product, the coal treatment process can heat the coal to a temperature close to the ignition temperature of the coal. In order to prevent early ignition of the coal during the coal treatment process, an inert gas can be used to provide an inert gas atmosphere in the coal treatment chamber. Inert gases can include nitrogen, argon, helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Nitrogen and argon may be the most common inert gases used to provide a non-burning gas atmosphere.

  The inert gas can be supplied to the ignition prevention facility 154 by pipeline, truck / tanker, on-site gas generation, or the like. In an embodiment, when using a truck / tanker supply system, the gas supply can be provided by the truck / tanker into an on-site gas storage tank, or the truck is used as a temporary gas storage tank. You can leave a tanker trailer.

  In an embodiment, the inert gas from the ignition prevention facility 154 can be used in conjunction with an air atmosphere or may be the entire atmosphere of the coal processing chamber.

  In order to supply nitrogen to the ignition prevention facility 154, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can use the on-site nitrogen generation facility 152 to generate the necessary nitrogen for the coal processing chamber. In embodiments, nitrogen can be generated using a commercially available pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process. The gas production facility can be sized appropriately to produce the required amount of nitrogen for the solid fuel treatment facility 132.

  The power input 180 may be an electrical connection to a power grid that can be used to supply power to the solid fuel treatment facility 132, and the required power of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may include a microwave system 148. it can. The power input may be from a power network external to the facility, or from the power network inside the facility if the facility is a power generation facility.

  The high voltage input transmission facility 182 can provide appropriate power stepping to provide the appropriate power level required by the solid fuel processing facility 132. The high voltage input transmission facility can receive very high voltage power at 180 that needs to be stepped down for use at facility 182. In an embodiment, the high voltage input transmission facility 182 may include necessary components and devices to increase or decrease the supplied power to an appropriate power for the solid fuel processing facility 132. The high voltage input transmission facility can provide a transmission line into the solid fuel treatment facility 132 and connect the solid fuel treatment facility 132 to the power input 180.

  Belt facility 130 may transport coal through a coal treatment process for removal of non-coal products, and the transport of coal may be a continuous feed. The belt facility 130 can receive coal from the intake facility 124, transport the coal through at least one coal treatment process, and deliver the treated coal to the cooling facility 164. In embodiments, the belt facility 130 may include transport facilities such as a conveyor, a plurality of individual coal holding buckets, or other holding devices to move the coal through at least one coal treatment process. The transport facility may be made of a material designed for the temperature of the treated coal, such as metal, high temperature plastic, or the like.

  The belt facility 130 includes a plurality of facilities and systems that may include a preheating facility 138, a parameter control system 140, a sensor system 142, a removal system 150, a controller 144, a microwave / radio wave system 148, and the like. be able to. All of the individual facilities and systems can be tailored to process coal during the processing process by using the operational parameters of the parameter generation facility 128 and / or the monitoring facility 134. The belt facility 130 may be capable of adjusting operating parameters during the coal treatment process, and adjusting the operating parameters manually by an operator monitoring the process or automatically in real time by a controller 144. It can be carried out.

  In an embodiment, the belt facility 130 may be an enclosure around the transport facility, and the enclosure may be considered a chamber. In an embodiment, the chamber may contain a coal treatment process, chamber gas environment, sensors, non-coal product removal system 150, dust storage, and the like. The chamber can support all of the input and output of the coal treatment process, such as gas environment input, non-coal product output, coal dust output, coal input, coal output, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the transport facility may be capable of variable speeds depending on operational parameters. For example, transportation equipment operates at a slower rate when large quantities of coal are processed at once, or if the coal is a poor type of coal (eg, peat) that contains a high percentage of non-coal products. can do. The transport facility can operate more slowly to allow longer times under the microwave oscillator. The transport equipment can move at a constant speed or can change speed at different locations in the process. For example, transportation equipment moves slowly in microwave oscillators but can move quickly between microwave oscillators. Coal can be placed in the transport facility so that there is a space between the coals, which allows the coal to move through the coal treatment process at a stage where the transport facility is conditioned Can do. For example, coal can be spaced at the same distance in a microwave oscillator, which can allow the coal to be staged under each of the microwave oscillators during the process.

  In an embodiment, the movement and speed of the transport facility can be adjusted to the operation of the microwave oscillator. The transport facility can be accelerated or decelerated depending on the operation of the microwave oscillator.

  In an embodiment, operation of the transport facility may be controlled by operation parameters determined by the parameter generation facility 128 and monitoring and revised operation parameters of the monitoring facility 134.

  The controller 144 may be a computer device that can provide operational parameters from the parameter generation facility 128 and the monitoring facility 134 to the coal treatment process. In an embodiment, the controller 144 may contain a computer device such as a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the controller 144 can communicate with various equipment and sensors using a LAN, WAN, P2P, CD, DVD, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the location of the controller 144 associated with the coal processing chamber may not be critical, and the controller 144 may be located at the input, output, or anywhere along the coal processing chamber. If the controller 144 is supervised or controlled by an operator, the controller can be located at a location that allows the operator to view critical portions of the coal treatment process, or at a coal treatment process sensor.

  In embodiments, the controller 144 can apply operational parameters to at least transportation equipment, air flow control, inert gas, microwave frequency, microwave power, preheat temperature, and the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 144 may control the frequency of at least one microwave system 148. Microwave system 148 can be controlled to provide a single frequency or pulse frequency. If there are two or more microwave systems 148 in the belt facility 130, the controller 144 can provide operational parameters to the two or more microwave facilities 148, and the two or more microwave facilities are different. Can operate at frequency.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 may control the power of at least one microwave system 148. Microwave system 148 can be controlled to provide a single power or pulsed power. If there are two or more microwave systems 148 in the belt facility 130, the controller 144 can provide operational parameters to the two or more microwave facilities 148, and the two or more microwave facilities are different. Can operate with power.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 may control the processing environment of the belt facility 130 that may include air flow, inert gas flow, hydrogen flow, positive pressure, negative pressure, vacuum level, and the like. it can. The air flow in the belt facility 130 can include providing dry air, inert gas, hydrogen, and pressure changes to control the gas released from the coal. In an embodiment, dry air can be used to help reduce moisture in the coal in the belt facility. In embodiments, an inert gas can be used to suppress coal ignition during high coal temperatures, and the inert gas can also be used to prevent other oxidation processes. In embodiments, hydrogen can be used during the sulfur reduction process. In embodiments, the pressure in the belt facility 130 can be used to remove non-coal products as they are released as gas from the coal.

  In embodiments, the controller 144 may be a commercially available machine controller or a custom designed controller for the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the controller may receive operational status feedback from the belt facility 130 system and facilities. The feedback may be current settings, actual operating parameters, capability rates, and the like, and the feedback may be viewable on the controller 144 or any computer device associated with the controller 144. .

  In an embodiment, the controller can have an override control that can allow an operator to manually modify operating parameters of at least one coal treatment process. Manual modification of operational parameters can be considered as an override or fully manual control of the coal treatment process.

  In an embodiment, the processing time (which spans while the coal can receive microwaves) typically is the size and structure of the belt facility 130, the available power of the microwave system 148, and the amount of coal being processed. Depending on, it is between 5 seconds and 45 minutes. Smaller amounts may require shorter processing times.

  The preheating facility 138 can heat the coal before it reaches the microwave system 148. The preheating may be performed by heating the coal and removing outer moisture from the coal. The removal of excess outer moisture can further facilitate the microwave system 148 removing internal non-coal products by removing moisture that can absorb microwave energy.

  In embodiments, the coal can be preheated using thermal radiation or similar that can be powered by electricity, gas, oil, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the preheating facility 138 may be inside the belt facility 130 or may be outside and in front of the belt facility 130.

  In embodiments, the preheating facility can use an atmospheric environment that can assist in the removal of moisture, such as dry air. The atmospheric environment can flow through preheating equipment and assist in drying coal.

  In an embodiment, the preheating facility 138 has a collection facility and can collect the removed moisture.

  A microwave / radio wave system (microwave system) 148 can provide electromagnetic energy to the coal in the belt facility 130 for removal of non-coal products. Non-coal products may be moisture, sulfur, ash, metal, water, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, and the like. By using microwave energy to heat the non-coal product to a temperature that releases the non-coal product from the coal, the non-coal product can be removed from the coal. Release can occur when there is a solid-to-liquid, liquid-to-gas, solid-to-gas phase change, or other phase change that can allow non-coal products to be released from coal. it can.

  In embodiments, different non-coal products can be released from the coal at different temperatures, and the surface temperature of the coal temperature can range between 70-250 ° C. In embodiments, moisture can be released at the lower end of this scale, while sulfur can be released between 130-240 ° C., and ash released at a temperature between that of water and sulfur. And can be released with water and / or sulfur. In embodiments, the coal can be heated to certain internal and surface temperatures for heating of non-coal products by the microwave energy of the microwave system 148.

  In embodiments, the electromagnetic energy of the microwave system 148 can be generated by a device such as a magnetron, klystron, gyrotron, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be at least one microwave system 148 in the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, there may be more than one microwave system 148 in the belt facility 130.

  In a belt facility 130 with more than one microwave system 148, the microwave system 148 may be in a parallel orientation, a series orientation, or a combination of parallel and series orientations with respect to the transport system.

  The orientation of the parallel microwave system 148 can have a setting of two or more microwave systems 148 aligned on one or both sides of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, two or more microwave systems 148 may be grouped and configured on both sides of the belt facility 130. For example, there may be N microwave systems 148 with N / 2 on either side of the belt facility 130 at a location along the belt facility 130. This structure allows additional microwave power to be applied to a location on the belt facility and allows for applying different levels of microwave power within a location, allowing two or more smaller microwaves to be applied. The use of the system makes it possible to create the required power, allows the microwave power to be increased or decreased at a certain location, enables pulsed microwave power, allows continuous microwave power, pulse and continuous microwave power A combination of wave powers is possible or the same can be done. In embodiments, two or more parallel microwave systems 148 can be controlled independently or as a single unit.

  One skilled in the art can control the parallel microwave system 148 to provide microwave energy at multiple powers, frequencies, power combinations, or frequency combinations to meet the requirements for treating coal. It will be clear that it is possible.

  The orientation of the series microwave system 148 can have more than one microwave system 148 set along the length of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, each individual microwave system 148 setting may be considered a station or process element of the entire coal treatment process. In an embodiment, there may be a single or more than one group of microwave systems 148 at two or more locations along the length of the belt facility 130. There may be a distance between the serial microwave systems 148 that may allow another process to be performed between the serial microwave systems 148. The series microwave system 148 applies different microwave frequencies at different locations, different microwave power is applied at different locations, and different microwave duty cycles (pulse or continuous) are applied at different locations. Or the like can be made possible.

  In an embodiment, the distance between the microwave systems 148 may include non-coal product removal, coal cooling, non-coal product installation to complete the release process, coal treatment, coal metering, non-coal product Other processes can be performed, such as emission sensing, or the like.

  In an embodiment, two or more serial microwave systems 148 may have a redundant single or group of microwave systems that may be capable of repeating a particular processing process if necessary. it can. For example, one microwave station can apply microwave power to remove moisture from the coal, which is subsequently determined by the coal metering station. Depending on the weight of the coal, it can be determined that there is still moisture remaining in the coal, and the redundant microwave system 148 will re-apply microwave power to remove the remaining moisture. It may be. In embodiments, the redundant microwave system 148 may or may not be used to further process the coal. In embodiments, the redundant microwave system 148 can repeat the same process as the previous microwave system 148 or can be used for a different process than the previous microwave system 148.

  In another example, the moisture sensor can determine moisture that is still being released from the coal and a second redundant microwave process can be applied to the coal. In an embodiment, the controller can make a decision whether to repeat the microwave process.

  In embodiments, the power of the microwave system 148 may be pulsed or continuous. In order to adjust the microwave energy applied to the coal, the microwave energy output may be pulsed at regular time intervals at a constant frequency. In embodiments, the microwave power per source may be at least 15 kW at a frequency of 928 MHz or less, and in other embodiments may be at least 75 kW at a frequency of 902 MHz or more.

  In embodiments, a relatively low frequency of microwave energy can penetrate deeper into the coal than a relatively high frequency. Microwave system 148 can generate a frequency output between 100 MHz and 20 GHz. Other frequencies of wave energy can be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

As described above, the microwave system 148 can be set as a tuned stage. For example, the coal on the belt facility 130 can be spaced at the same distance as the microwave system 148, which means that the coal is staged under each of the microwave oscillators during the coal treatment process. Can be possible. In embodiments, there may be an advantage of the coal treatment process over varying the belt speed in each microwave system 148 for coal processing. In an embodiment, this may be a method of batch processing on the continuous belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, the processing time (which spans while the coal can be subjected to microwaves) typically is the size and structure of the belt facility 130, the available power of the microwave system 148, and the coal being processed. Depending on the amount, it is between 5 seconds and 45 minutes. Smaller amounts may require shorter processing times.

  In an embodiment, with 100% efficiency, 1 kW of electromagnetic energy can evaporate 3.05 lbs of water per hour at ambient temperature. A well-designed electromagnetic radiation system can absorb 98% of its energy and convert it to heat. For example, an applied electromagnetic energy of 1 kW requires about 1.15 kW of electricity and evaporates 2.989 lbs of water, which requires 61.6 kW of electricity for 160 pounds of water removed. can do.

  The parameter control facility 140 can receive the sensor information and provide the sensor information as feedback to the control device 144. In an embodiment, the parameter control facility 140 may contain a computer device such as a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the parameter control facility 140 may communicate with various facilities and sensors using a LAN, WAN, P2P, CD, DVD, flash memory or the like. In an embodiment, the parameter control facility 140 includes an interface and can receive signals from various solid fuel processing facility 132 sensors. The interface may be capable of receiving either analog or digital signal data from the sensor. For analog data, the interface of the parameter control facility 140 can use an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert analog signals to digital data for data storage.

  In embodiments, parameter control facility 140 includes belt facility 130 airflow, belt speed, temperature, microwave power, microwave frequency, inert gas level, moisture level, ash level, sulfur level, or the like. Can be linked with sensors that can. The measured temperature may be both the coal temperature during processing or the chamber temperature, and the chamber temperature may be an indication when there is a fire in the chamber.

  In an embodiment, the parameter control facility 140 may contain internal memory such as RAM, CD, DVD, flash memory, and the like that can store sensor signals. The parameter control facility 140 can store sensor information, provide real-time feedback to the controller 144, store sensor information, and provide real-time feedback to the controller, or other storage / feedback methods. In an embodiment, parameter control facility 140 may collect sensor signals and provide stored feedback to controller 144. The collected sensor signals can be used to provide the controller 144's historical average sensor signal, period sensor signal, histogram of sensor signals over time, real time sensor signal, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the sensor data collected by the parameter control facility 140 may be viewable on the parameter control facility 140 or any computer device associated with the parameter control facility 144.

The sensor 142 of the belt facility 130 can provide coal treatment process data to the parameter control facility 140 and the controller 144. The data for the coal treatment process from the sensor includes water vapor, ash, sulfur, microwave power, microwave frequency, coal surface temperature,
Coal weight, microwave emissions, airflow measurements, belt equipment temperature, and the like can be included. In embodiments, the sensor may be an analog or digital measurement device.

  In an embodiment, the water vapor of the belt facility 130 can be measured by a moisture analyzer. A moisture analyzer can be positioned with respect to the microwave system 148 to measure water vapor released from the treated coal. In an embodiment, coal processing can continue until the measured level of water vapor reaches a predetermined level. The water vapor level can be measured as moisture content, ppm, ppb, or other vapor measurement scale.

  In embodiments, both ash and sulfur can be measured by a chemical feature level analyzer. There may be separate chemical feature level analyzers for ash and sulfur. In an embodiment, coal processing can continue until the measured levels of ash and sulfur reach predetermined levels.

  In an embodiment, the power and frequency output of the microwave system 148 can be measured as an actual level compared to a set level.

  In embodiments, the coal surface temperature can be measured by a sensor such as an infrared temperature sensor or a thermometer. A temperature sensor is arranged for the coal treatment process and can measure the coal surface temperature during and after the coal treatment, which can be either heated or cooled. In embodiments, coal processing can continue until the measured coal surface temperature reaches a predetermined level. In embodiments, the coal can be heated to certain internal and surface temperatures for heating of non-coal products by the microwave energy of the microwave system 148.

  In an embodiment, the coal weight can be measured using a commercially available scale. Coal weight can be used to determine removal of non-coal products from coal. In embodiments, the coal can be measured before and after the processing station to determine the reduced weight of the coal. The difference in coal weight may be an indicator of the proportion of non-coal product released from coal. In an embodiment, the weight can be measured in real time as the coal passes over the weight scale.

  In an embodiment, microwave emissions from the belt facility 130 can be measured as a safety indicator. The microwave emission sensor may be a standard available sensor. In embodiments, there may be safety or environmental grounds to ensure that microwave emissions above a predetermined level are not measured outside the belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, the actual airflow of the belt facility 130 can be measured for comparison with the required airflow. Air flow can be measured as velocity, direction, internal pressure, external pressure, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the chamber temperature of the belt facility 130 can be measured with a standard temperature sensor. Chamber temperature can be measured as a safety feature to detect against a chamber fire.

The removal system 150 can remove the non-coal product from the belt facility 130 as the non-coal product is released from the treated coal. Non-coal products can be released from coal as gas or liquid. The removal system 150 can remove the gas by removal of air toward the collection conduit where the gas is collected and processed. The removal system 150 can use positive or negative pressure to remove gas from the belt facility 130. The positive pressure system can blow gas into the collection area, where the negative pressure system can draw gas into the collection area. The removal system 150 can collect liquid at the bottom of the belt facility 130 in the collection area.

  In embodiments, some non-coal products can be collected as both gas and liquid (eg, water). In embodiments, as water vapor is released from the coal, some of the water vapor can be captured by the gas removal system. Depending on the amount and rate of water vapor removal from the coal, the water vapor can agglomerate as liquid water at the wall of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the agglomerated water can be forced down from the wall with an air flow into the liquid collection area.

  In embodiments, depending on the coal temperature, sulfur can play a role similar to moisture by being released as a gas or liquid.

  In embodiments, ash can be removed with either moisture or sulfur.

  In embodiments, gas collection can collect a single type of gas, or can collect multiple gases being released from treated coal. Depending on the location within the belt facility and the coal process temperature, at least one gas may be released from the coal. Depending on the coal temperature, the outgassing at some location in the belt facility may be a specific type of gas. For example, where the coal has a temperature between 70-100 ° C., the bath may be substantially water vapor, and where the coal temperature is between 160-240 ° C., the gas is substantially sulfur vapor. There may be.

  In embodiments, liquid collection can collect a single type of liquid, or can collect multiple liquids that have been released from treated coal. Depending on the location within the belt facility and the coal process temperature, at least one gas may be released from the coal.

  The containment facility 162 can receive gas and liquid non-coal products from the removal system 150 of the belt facility 130. The removed non-coal product can include water, sulfur, coal dust, ash, hydrogen, hydroxyl groups, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the storage facility 162 may have a liquid storage tank for holding liquid removed from the belt facility 130, and there may be a plurality of liquid storage tanks. In an embodiment, the liquid storage tank may contain more than one type of liquid depending on where the liquid has been removed from the belt facility. In an embodiment, there may be different liquid storage tanks located at different locations on the belt facility 130 for liquid collection.

  In an embodiment, the storage facility 162 may have a gas storage tank for holding gas removed from the belt facility 130, and there may be a plurality of gas storage tanks. In an embodiment, the gas containment tank may contain more than one type of gas depending on where the gas has been removed from the belt facility. In embodiments, there may be different gas storage tanks located at different locations on the belt facility 130 for gas collection.

  In an embodiment, the containment facility may also include a shield containing microwave energy in the belt facility 130.

  The processing facility 160 can receive the gas and liquid of the storage facility 162 and divide the gas and liquid into individual gases and liquids for disposal.

  In embodiments, non-coal products can include precipitation, flocculation, centrifugation, filtration, distillation, chromatography, electrophoresis, extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, precipitation, fractional freezing, sieving, screening, and the like. The process can be used to isolate.

  In embodiments, after separating the gas and liquid, the gas and liquid can be stored in individual containers or tanks.

  The disposal facility 158 can receive individually distinguished gases and liquids from the processing facility 160 for disposal. In embodiments, disposal of gas and liquid can include disposing at landfills, selling gas and liquid to other companies, releasing non-toxic gases (eg, water vapor), or the like. . In embodiments, the other company may be a company that can directly use individually distinguished gases or liquids, or it may be a company that can further purify the gas or liquid for resale. May be.

  A disposal facility 158 can be associated with a shipping facility for individualized gas and liquid removal by rails, trucks, pipelines, or the like.

  The disposal facility 158 can include a temporary storage tank that can allow temporary storage of gases and liquids until it is a commercially economical quantity to ship. In an embodiment, the temporary storage tank may be in place or remotely located.

  A cooling facility 164 can be located after the belt facility 130 and can provide a controlled atmosphere for controlled cooling of the treated coal. In an embodiment, the cooling facility may be incorporated into the belt facility 130 or may be a separate facility at the exit of the belt facility. FIG. 1 shows a cooling facility as a separate facility.

  In an embodiment, the cooling facility 164 can control the cooling rate of the coal and control the atmosphere to prevent reabsorption of moisture as the coal cools from the treatment process. In an embodiment, the cooling facility 164 can have a transport system that can consist of a conveyor belt 300, a plurality of individual containers, or the like, surrounded by an enclosure that can create a cooling chamber.

  In embodiments, the controlled cooling process can include stepwise cooling to ambient temperature, natural cooling in a controlled atmosphere, cooling with forced dry air, cooling with forced inert gas, or the like. In embodiments, the transport system may be able to maintain an appropriate cooling rate by changing the speed. In embodiments, there may be a sensor system that monitors gas, coal temperature, belt speed, and the like. The sensor data can be received at the controller of the data cooling facility 164 or the controller 144 of the belt 130 can be used, and the controller can provide operational parameters for the cooling facility 164.

  In embodiments, the controlled atmosphere may be dry air or an inert gas.

  The extraction facility 168 can move the final cooled coal to a location away from the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the extraction facility 168 may include a transportation system, a dust collection facility, an input section, a transition section, and an adaptation section, and the like. In embodiments, the extraction facility may provide the finished coal directly to a lidded container, rail vehicle, storage location, processing facility, or the like.

In an embodiment, the input section can receive treated coal from the cooling facility, the input end can be sized to fit the incoming cooling facility 164 transportation system, and the outlet end transitions. It can be sized to fit the interval.

  In an embodiment, the transition section may be a channel that directs the treated coal to adaptation, and the transition section may contain a transport system.

  In an embodiment, the adaptation section may be sized to fit the required shape of the transition section and output location (eg, directly to railcar, storage, equipment).

  In an embodiment, the retrieval facility 168 can output to at least one location. In an embodiment, there may be more than one removal facility 168 per belt facility 130 to supply more than one output location.

  The test facility 170 can take a sample of the final treated coal and perform a standard test on the coal sample to determine if the characteristics of the final treated coal meet the desired characteristics 122 of the coal. In embodiments, the test facility may be near or remote from the facility 132.

  In an embodiment, standard tests include ASTM standard D388 (classified coal classification), ASTM standard D2013 (method for preparing coal samples for analysis), ASTM standard D3180 (coal and coke analysis from default to different bases). Standard Practices for Computing), US Geologic Survey Bulletin 1823 (Method for Coal Sampling and Inorganic Analysis), and the like. Standard tests include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash melting temperature, ash Coal properties can be provided, which can include mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like.

  In embodiments, there may be periodic samples taken from the final treated coal, there may be a first sample and a last sample, there may be one sample, or the like. In an embodiment, not all of the selected samples need be tested, and the statistical sample rate is used for all samples from the final treated coal with additional testing based on the results of the statistical samples. be able to. Those skilled in the art of statistical sampling techniques will understand the different parameters of how many samples to test and the steps to backtrack to other samples depending on the test results.

  In an embodiment, the final treated coal cannot be used until the coal sample test shows the acceptable properties of the final treated coal.

Coal output parameter 172 is a storage location for classification 110 information for the final treated coal. The coal output parameter 172 may be a database, relational database, table, text file, XML file, RSS, flat file, or the like that can store the characteristics of the final processed coal. The data can be stored on a computing device that can include a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, the final processed coal characteristics data may be communicated to the coal output parameters 172 in paper hard copy, electronic form, database, or the like. The final processed coal characteristics are shipped with a hard copy of the paper, and the characteristic data can be entered into a suitable coal output sample data 172 format on a computer device. In an embodiment, the final processed coal property data may be transmitted from the test facility 170 by email, FTP, Internet connection, WAN, LAN, P2P, or the like. Coal output parameters 172 may be accessible on a network that may include the Internet.

  Test equipment 170 has a moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash melting temperature Coal properties can be provided, which can include ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like.

  In an embodiment, there may be at least one data record stored in the coal output parameter 172 for each final treated coal. If the final treated coal has been subjected to random or periodic checks during the treatment process, there may be more than one data record. In an embodiment, each test performed on the final treated coal may have a coal characteristic stored in the coal output parameter 172.

  The feedback facility 174 can compare the characteristics of the final treated coal with the desired characteristics 122 of the coal to determine whether the final treated coal is within the tolerances of the desired characteristics. The feedback facility may be a computer device that may include a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the feedback facility 174 can maintain a coal property tolerance that can be considered an acceptable final treated coal. Tolerances can be stored in a database, relational database, table, text file, XML file, RSS, flat file, or the like that can store the properties of the final treated coal. In an embodiment, feedback facility 174 may be connected to a network that may include an Internet connection, WAN, LAN, P2P, or the like. In an embodiment, feedback facility 174 may compare the final treated coal characteristics to desired coal characteristics 122 to determine the acceptability of the final treated coal.

  In an embodiment, the operational parameters can be modified by the monitoring facility 134 if the final treated coal is outside acceptable tolerances.

  In an embodiment, a report may be generated if the final treated coal is outside acceptable tolerances, and the report may be available to any computing device associated with the feedback equipment network. Good.

  Price determination / transaction equipment (transaction equipment) 178 can determine the final price of the final treated coal. Trading facility 178 may be a computing device that may include a server, web server, desktop computer, laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, flash memory, or the like. In an embodiment, transaction facility 178 may be connected to a network that may include an Internet connection, WAN, LAN, P2P, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the trading facility may receive revenue raw coal costs and operating costs for facility 132 and determine a final cost for the treated coal. The operating costs of the facility 132 can be collected during processing of the treated coal, and the coal can be identified by type, batch number, test number, identification number, or the like. In an embodiment, the operating cost of the facility 132 can be recorded for the entire coal identification process. Operating costs can include electricity costs, inert gas used, coal used, disposal fees, test costs, and the like.

  In an embodiment, the transaction report may be available to any computer device associated with the feedback equipment network.

  Coal combustion 200 involves burning coal at a high temperature in the presence of oxygen to produce light and heat. Coal must be heated to its ignition temperature before combustion occurs. The ignition temperature of coal is the ignition temperature of its fixed carbon content. The ignition temperature of the volatile component of coal is higher than the ignition temperature of fixed carbon. Thus, the gaseous product is distilled during combustion. Once combustion begins, the heat produced by the oxidation of combustible carbon can maintain a sufficiently high temperature to sustain combustion under appropriate conditions. Direct coal combustion can be performed, for example, in a fixed bed 220 or stoker combustor, pulverized coal combustor 222, fluidized bed combustor 224, and the like.

  The fixed bed 220 system has been used in small coal fired boilers for over a century. They use a lump coal feed and the particle size ranges from about 1 to 5 cm. Coal is heated as it enters the furnace, thus removing moisture and volatile materials. As the coal moves into the area to be ignited, the temperature rises in the coal bed. There are a number of different types, including stationary grate, subtractive stalker, chain grate, moving grate, and scattered stalker system. Chain and moving grate furnaces have similar properties. Coal mass is fed into the mobile grate or chain, while air is drawn through the grate and through the coal bed on top of it. In a spray stalker, a high speed rotor throws coal into a furnace above the mobile grate to distribute fuel more evenly. A stoker furnace is generally characterized by a flame temperature between 1,200 and 1,300 ° C. and a very long residence time.

  Because combustion in a fixed bed 220 system is relatively uneven, there may be intermittent emissions of CO, NOx, and volatiles during the combustion process. Combustion chemistry and temperature can vary substantially across the combustion grate. The release of SO2 depends on the sulfur content of the supplied coal. Due to the relatively inefficient combustion and limited access of oxygen to the carbon content of the coal, the residual ash can have a high carbon content (4-5%).

  Pulverized coal combustion (“PCC”) 222 is the most commonly used combustion method for coal-fired power plants 204. Prior to use, the coal can be pulverized (micronized) into a fine powder. The pulverized coal passes through a series of burner nozzles and is blown into the boiler by a portion of the air for combustion. Secondary or tertiary air can also be added. The unit operates near atmospheric pressure. Combustion occurs at temperatures between 1,300 and 1700C depending on the coal class. For bituminous coal, the combustion temperature is maintained between 1500-1700 ° C. For lower coals, the range is 1300-1600 ° C. The particle size of the coal used in the pulverized coal process ranges from about 10 to 100 microns. The residence time of the particles is typically 1-5 seconds and the particles must be sized so that they are completely burned during this time. Steam is generated by a process that can drive a steam generator or turbine for power generation 204.

  The pulverized coal combustor 222 can be fed to a wall ignition or tangential ignition burner. Wall ignition burners are mounted on the combustor wall, while linear ignition burners are mounted in the corners, and the flame is directed to the center of the boiler so that air and fuel are mixed more efficiently. In addition, vortex motion is given to the gas during combustion. Depending on whether the ash falls to the bottom as a molten slag or is removed as a dry solid, the boiler can be referred to as either wet or dry. The main advantage of pulverized coal combustion 222 is the fine powder characteristics of the fly ash produced. In general, PCC 222 results in 65% to 85% fly ash, with the remainder being coarser ash (in dry boilers) or boiler slag (wet boilers).

  Boilers that use anthracite as fuel can employ a lower firing burner arrangement whereby the coal / air mixture is sent to the cone at the base of the boiler. This arrangement allows for a longer residence time that ensures more complete carbon combustion. Another arrangement, called a cell burner, involves two or three circular burners combined into a single vertical assembly that produces a small and intense flame. However, this arrangement is less advantageous because the hot flame from this burner can lead to further NOx formation.

  For coal with a low ash melting temperature, a cyclone fired boiler is used, but otherwise it is difficult to use with PCC222. The cyclone combustion furnace has a combustion chamber mounted outside the tapered main boiler. While the primary combustion air carries the coal particles into the furnace, the secondary air is injected tangentially into the cyclone, creating a strong vortex that introduces larger coal particles toward the furnace wall. The tertiary air enters directly into the central vortex of the cyclone and controls the position of the central vacuum and the combustion zone within the furnace. The relatively large coal particles are trapped in the molten layer covering the inner surface of the cyclone and then recycled for more complete combustion. Relatively small coal particles enter the center of the vortex for combustion. This system results in high heat formation in the furnace, so coal is burned at very high temperatures. Combustion gas, residual char, and fly ash enter the boiler chamber for more complete combustion. The molten ash flows by gravity to the bottom of the furnace for removal.

  In the cyclone boiler, 80 to 90% of the ash goes out from the bottom of the boiler as molten slag, so that less scattered ash is discharged through the boiler heat transfer section. These boilers operate at a high temperature (1,650 to 2,000 ° C. or higher) and are almost at atmospheric pressure. The high temperature results in a high yield of NOx, which is a major disadvantage for this type of boiler. Cyclone fired boilers have 15% (anhydrous basis) or more of volatile materials, between 6-25% ash for bituminous coal, or between 4-25% ash for subbituminous coal, and 20% for bituminous coal Coal with certain key properties can be used, such as a moisture content of less than and, for sub-bituminous coal, a moisture content of 30%. Ash must have certain slag viscosity characteristics, and ash slag behavior is particularly important for the function of this type of boiler. This type of boiler can burn high moisture fuel, but requires design changes.

  The pulverized coal boiler 222 in the United States uses subcritical or supercritical steam cycling. The supercritical steam cycle operates at or above the critical temperature of water (374 ° F.) and critical pressure (22.1 mPa), in which case no water vapor or liquid phase exists. Subcritical systems typically achieve 33-34% thermal efficiency. Supercritical systems can achieve 3-5 percent higher thermal efficiency than subcritical systems.

  Increasing the thermal efficiency of coal combustion results in a reduction in the cost of power generation 204 because less fuel is required. The increase in thermal efficiency also reduces other emissions generated during combustion, such as those of SO2 and NOx. Older and smaller units that burn low-grade coal have a thermal efficiency as low as 30%. For larger plants with subcritical steam boilers that burn higher quality coal, thermal efficiency can range from 35 to 36%. Equipment using supercritical steam can achieve overall thermal efficiencies in the range of 43-45%. The maximum efficiency achievable with low grade and low grade coal may be lower than that achieved with high grade or high grade coal. For example, the maximum efficiency expected for a new lignite ignition plant (eg, in Europe) can be about 42%, while an equivalent new bituminous coal plant can achieve a maximum thermal efficiency of about 45%. . A supercritical steam plant using bituminous coal and other optimal components can produce a net thermal efficiency of 45-47%.

Fluidized bed combustion (“FBC”) 224 mixes coal with an adsorbent, such as limestone, and fluidizes the mixture during the combustion process to allow complete combustion and removal of sulfur gas. “Fluidization” refers to a state in which a solid material is given a free-flowing fluid-like behavior. As the gas is passed up through the bed of solid particles, the gas flow creates a force that tends to separate the particles from each other. In fluidized bed combustion, coal is combusted in a bed of hot noncombustible particles suspended by an upflow of fluidized gas flow.

  The FBC 224 system is primarily used with subcritical steam turbines. The atmospheric pressure FBC 224 system may be bubbling or circulating. Currently, the pressurized FBC224 system, which is in the early stages of development, mainly uses a bubbling bed and can produce power in a combined cycle with gas and steam turbines. Atmospheric pressure FBC 224 may be useful for high ash coals and / or those with variable properties. Coarse coal particles with a size of about 3 mm can be used. Since combustion occurs at temperatures between 800-900 ° C. that are substantially below the threshold for forming NOx, such a system results in lower NOx emissions than the PCC 222 system.

  Because the bubbling bed has a low fluidization rate, the coal particles are held in a bed about 1 mm deep with an identifiable surface. As the coal particles burn out and become smaller, they are carried away with the coal gas removed as fly ash. Because the circulating bed uses a higher fluidization rate, coal particles float in the flue gas and pass through the main combustion chamber into the cyclone. The relatively large coal particles are extracted from the gas and recycled into the combustion chamber. Individual particles can be recycled between 10 and 50 times, depending on their combustion characteristics. Combustion conditions are relatively uniform throughout the combustor and there is a large amount of particle mixing. Although the coal solids are distributed throughout the unit, a dense bed is required in the lower furnace to mix the fuel during combustion. For floor-burning bituminous coal, the carbon content of the bed is about 1% with the remainder made of ash and other minerals.

  The circulating FBC 224 system can be designed for specific types of coal. These systems are particularly useful for low grade high ash coals that are difficult to finely pulverize and may have variable combustion characteristics. These systems are also useful for co-combusting coal with other fuels, such as biomass or waste. Once built, the unit operates most efficiently with the fuels designed for it. Various designs can be employed. Thermal efficiency is generally slightly lower than comparable PCC systems. The use of low grade coal with variable properties can further reduce thermal efficiency.

  FBC 224 in a pressurized system may be useful for low grade coal and those with variable combustion characteristics. In a pressurized system, the combustor and gas cyclone are all enclosed in a pressure vessel, coal and adsorbent are fed into the system across the pressure boundary, and ash is removed across the pressure boundary. If anthracite is used, coal and limestone can be mixed with 25% water and fed into the system as a paste. The system operates at a pressure of 1-1.5 MPa with a combustion temperature between 800-900 ° C. Combustion can also heat a steam and produce a hot gas to drive a gas turbine, as in a conventional boiler. The pressurization unit is designed to have a thermal efficiency of 40% or more with low emissions. Next generation pressurized FBC systems may include improvements that produce greater than 50% thermal efficiency.

  Some bituminous coals are suitable for iron and steel smelting without prior coking. Their suitability for this purpose includes coal, including a combination of solubility and other factors including high fixed carbon content, low ash content (below 5%), low sulfur content, and low calcite (CaCO3) content. Depends on certain characteristics. Metallurgical coal may be 15-50% more valuable than thermal coal.

  Gasification 230 involves the conversion of coal into combustible gases, volatiles, char and mineral residues (ash / slag). The gasification 230 system converts a hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, into a gaseous component by applying heat under pressure, generally in the presence of steam. An apparatus that performs this process is called a gasifier. Gasification 230 differs from combustion because it is generated with limited available air or oxygen. Therefore, only a small part of the fuel is completely burned. The burning fuel provides heat for the rest of the gasification 230 process. Instead of burning, most hydrocarbon feedstocks (eg, coal) are chemically decomposed into various other materials collectively referred to as “syngas”. Syngas is primarily hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other gaseous compounds. The composition of the synthesis gas varies based on the type of raw material used and the gasification conditions employed.

  The remaining minerals in the raw material do not gasify like carbonaceous materials. The remaining minerals can be separated and removed. Sulfur impurities in coal can form hydrogen sulfide, from which sulfur or sulfuric acid can be produced. Since gasification occurs under reducing conditions, NOx generally does not form and ammonia forms instead. If oxygen is used instead of air during gasification 230, carbon dioxide is produced in a concentrated gas stream that can be sequestered and prevented from entering the atmosphere as a contaminant. Gasification 230 may be able to use coals that are difficult to use in combustion facilities, such as those with high sulfur content or high ash content. The characteristics of coal ash used in gasifiers can affect the efficiency of the process, both because it affects the formation of slag and affects the deposition of solids in the syngas cooler or heat exchanger. Affect. At low temperatures, such as those found in fixed beds and fluidized gasifiers, tar formation can cause problems.

  Three types of gasifier systems are available: fixed bed, fluidized bed, and spouted bed. Fixed bed units that are not normally used for power generation use lump coal. The fluidized bed uses 3-6 mm size coal. The spouted bed unit uses pulverized coal. The spouted bed unit operates at a higher operating temperature (about 1,600 ° C.) than the fluidized bed system (about 900 ° C.).

  The gasifier can operate at atmospheric pressure or can be pressurized. By pressurized gasification, the raw coal can be inserted across the pressure barrier. A large and expensive lock hopper system can be used to insert the coal, or the coal can be supplied as an aqueous slurry. The byproduct stream must be removed under reduced pressure across the pressure barrier. Inside, the heat exchanger for the synthesis gas and the gas cleaning unit must also be pressurized.

  The integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) 232 system allows the gasification process to be used for power generation. In the IGCC system 232, the synthesis gas produced during gasification is free of impurities (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, particulate matter, and the like) and is burned to drive the gas turbine. The exhaust gas from the gasification is heat exchanged with water and produces superheated steam that drives the steam turbine. Because the two turbines are used in combination (gas combustion turbine and steam turbine), the system is called a “combined cycle”. Generally, the majority of power (60-70%) comes from the gas turbine in this system. The IGCC system 232 generates power with higher thermal efficiency than the coal combustion system.

Syngas 234 can be converted into various other products. For example, components such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen can be used to produce a wide range of liquid or gas fuels using processes well known in the art. As another example, the hydrogen produced during gasification can be used as a fuel for a fuel cell or potentially in a hydrogen turbine or a hybrid fuel cell turbine system. Hydrogen separated from the gas stream can also be used as a feedstock for refineries that use hydrogen to produce improved petroleum products.

  Syngas 234 can also be converted into fuel or various hydrocarbons that can be used for further processing. Syngas 234 can be condensed to light hydrocarbons using, for example, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. The light hydrocarbons can then be further converted to gasoline or diesel fuel. Syngas 234 can also be converted to a base unit for methanol, fuel additive, or gasoline production that can be used as a fuel.

  Coke 238 is a solid carbonaceous residue derived from coal from which volatile components have been removed by baking in an oven at a high temperature (as high as 1,000 ° C.). At such temperatures, fixed carbon and residual ash are fused together. The raw material for forming coke is typically low ash, low sulfur bituminous coal. Coke can be used, for example, as a fuel during smelting iron in a blast furnace. Coke is also useful as a reducing agent in such processes. Coal tar, ammonia, light oil, and coal gas can be formed as byproducts of the step of converting coal to coke. Because the volatile components of coal are removed during the coking process 238, coke is a desirable fuel for furnaces where conditions may not be suitable for burning the coal itself. For example, coke can be burned with little or no smoke under combustion conditions that cause a large release when using bituminous coal itself. Coal must meet certain stringent standards for moisture content, ash, sulfur, volatiles, tar, and plasticity before it can be used as coking coal.

  Amorphous pure carbon 238 can be obtained by heating coal to a temperature of about 650-980 ° C. in a restricted atmospheric environment so that complete combustion does not occur. Amorphous carbon 238 is in the form of carbon allotrope graphite consisting of fine carbon crystals. Thus, the resulting amorphous carbon 238 has a number of industrial uses. For example, graphite can be used for electrochemical components, activated carbon can be used for water and air cleaning, and carbon black can be used to reinforce tires.

  The basic process of coke production 238 can be used to produce a hydrocarbon-containing 240 gas mixture (“city gas”) that can be used as fuel. City gas may include, for example, about 51% hydrogen, 15% carbon monoxide, 21% methane, 10% carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and about 3% other alkanes. Other processes, such as the Lurgi process and Sabatier synthesis, use low quality coal to produce methane.

  Liquefaction converts coal into a product of liquid hydrocarbon 240 that can be used as a fuel. Coal can be liquefied using direct or indirect processes. Any process that converts coal to hydrocarbon 240 fuel must add hydrocarbons with coal to hydrogen. (1) coal is heated in the absence of air or in the presence of hydrogen, pyrolysis and hydrocarbonation, (2) coal hydrocarbons are selectively dissolved from the coal mass and hydrogen is added 4 types of solvent extraction, (3) catalyst liquefaction of coal hydrocarbons, catalyst liquefaction, and (4) indirect liquefaction where carbon monoxide and hydrogen are combined in the presence of the catalyst. Liquefaction methods are available. As an example, the Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalytic chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into various forms of liquid hydrocarbons 240. The material produced by this process can include synthetic petroleum substitutes that can be used as lubricating oils or fuels.

  As another example, low temperature carbonization can be used to produce liquid hydrocarbons 240 from coal. In this process, the coal is coked 238 at a temperature between 450-700 ° C (compared to 800-1,000 ° C for metallurgical coke). Such a temperature optimizes the production of coal tar that is richer in light hydrocarbons 240 than normal coal tar. The coal tar is then further processed into fuel.

  Coal combustion produces a variety of by-products 242 including volatile hydrocarbons, ash, sulfur, carbon dioxide, and water. Further processing of these by-products can be performed with economic benefits.

  Volatile materials include products that are released as gases or vapors during heating, excluding moisture. For coal, the volatile matter rate is determined by first heating the coal to 105 ° C. to remove moisture, then heating the coal to 950 ° C. and measuring the weight loss. Such volatile materials include mixtures of short and long chain hydrocarbons and other gases containing sulfur. Thus, the volatile material consists of a mixture of gas, low-boiling organic compounds that aggregate into oil when cooled, and tar. Volatile substances in coal increase with class reduction. In addition, coal with a high volatile content is very reactive during combustion and easily ignites.

  Coal ash is coal combustion waste consisting of fly ash (waste removed from the large chimney) and bottom ash (from the boiler and combustion chamber). Coarse particles (bottom ash and / or boiler slag) sink to the bottom of the combustion chamber and fine portions (sprayed ash) escape through the flue and are regenerated and recycled. Coal ash can contain many trace elements and heavy metal enrichments, including Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn. Ash collected after coal combustion is useful as an additive to cement products, as a filler for excavation or civil engineering, as a soil conditioner, and as a component of other products including paints, plastics, coatings and adhesives It can be.

  Sulfur in coal can be released as sulfur oxide during combustion or retained in coal by reacting with the base oxide contained in mineral impurities (a process known as sulfur retention) Can do. The most important basic oxide for sulfur retention is CaO formed as a result of CaCO3 decomposition and combustion of calcium-containing organic groups. Coal combustion occurs in two successive steps, liquefaction and char combustion. During liquefaction, combustible sulfur is converted to SO2. During char combustion, the processes of SO2 formation, sulfurization, and CaSO4 decomposition occur simultaneously.

  Coal cracking 244 produces coal tar and coal gas in addition to metallurgical coke. The use for metallurgical coke and coal gas as products of coal conversion has been described above. The third byproduct, coal tar, has a variety of other commercial uses.

  Coal tar is a complex mixture of hydrocarbon materials. Most of its components are aromatic hydrocarbons of different composition and volatility, from the simplest and most volatile (benzene) to high molecular weight multi-ring non-volatiles. The hydrocarbons in coal tar are mostly benzene based, naphthalene based, or anthracene or phenanthrene based. Variable amounts of aliphatic hydrocarbons, paraffins, and olefins may be present. Coal tar also contains small amounts of simple phenols such as carboxylic acid and coumarone. Sulfur compounds and nitrided organic compounds can also be found. Most nitrogen compounds in coal are basic in nature and belong to the pyridine and quinoline families, such as aniline.

Coal tar can be fractionally distilled to yield a number of useful organic chemicals including 244, benzene, toluene, xylene, naphthalene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. These materials can be referred to as crude coal tar products. They form the basis for the synthesis of numerous products such as dyes, drugs, seasonings, fragrances, synthetic resins, paints, preservatives, and explosives. After fractional distillation of the crude coal tar product, a pitch residue remains. This material can be used for purposes such as roofing, pavement, insulation, and waterproofing.

  In an embodiment, coal tar can also be used in its natural state without being subjected to distillation 244. It can be heated to some extent to remove its volatile components before use. Coal tar is also employed as a paint, weathering agent, or corrosion protection. Coal tar is also used as a roofing material. Coal tar can be burned as a fuel, but produces toxic gases during combustion. Burning tar produces a large amount of soot called oil smoke. If soot is collected, it can be used to produce carbon for electrochemistry, printing, dyes and the like.

  It is customary for coal burning facilities 200 and other coal utilization plants to store coal on site. For the power plant 204, more than 10% of the required coal can be stored annually. However, excess stock of stored coal may present problems with the risk of spontaneous ignition, loss of volatiles, and loss of heat generation. Anthracite generally poses less risk than other coal classes. For example, anthracite coal is not affected by spontaneous ignition and can be stored in an unlimited amount per pile of coal. In contrast, bituminous coal may ignite spontaneously when placed in large piles and may cause powdering.

  Two types of changes occur in stored coal. Inorganic substances such as metal sulfide minerals can be oxidized, and organic substances in the coal itself can be oxidized. When the minerals are oxidized, the volume and / or weight of the coal can increase and the coal can decompose. If the coal material itself is oxidized, the change may not be immediately perceptible. The oxidation of organic matter in coal is accompanied by changes that can cause loss of heat generation, such as the oxidation of carbon and hydrogen in coal and the absorption of oxygen by unsaturated hydrocarbons. These changes can also cause spontaneous ignition.

  Coal must be transported from where it is mined to where it is used. Prior to being transported, the coal may be cleaned, screened, and / or crushed to a specific size. In some cases, the power plant can be located on site or near a mine that provides coal to the plant. For these facilities, coal can be transported by conveyors and the like. However, in most cases, the power plant and other facilities that use coal are located remotely. The main transportation method from the mine to the remote facilities is by rail. Cargo ships and other marine vessels can also be used. Highway transportation by truck is feasible, but may not be cost effective, especially for travel over 50 miles. The coal slurry pipeline transports powdered coal suspended in water.

  In an embodiment, solid fuel processing parameters for a solid fuel continuous process, batch process, or other process may be generated by a parameter generation facility 128 based on the desired characteristics of the solid fuel and the processing capability of the solid fuel processing facility 132. . As input to the parameter generation facility 128, the coal sample data 120 can provide the starting characteristics of the solid fuel, and the desired characteristics 122 of the coal can provide the desired final characteristics of the solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the first step in determining solid fuel processing parameters may be to determine a characteristic difference between the actual raw solid fuel characteristics and the desired final processed characteristics.

As described above, solid fuel information stored in the coal sample data 120 includes moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon rate, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove Information such as grinding ratio (HGI), total mercury, ash melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like can be included. The solid fuel characteristics can be supplied by a solid fuel supplier such as coal mine 102, solid fuel storage facility 112, solid fuel processing facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may test and determine solid fuel characteristics for storage in the coal sample data 120.

  In embodiments, as described above, the desired coal characteristics 122 preserve the final desired solid fuel characteristics for delivery to the customer, for use at the location of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, or the like. can do. For example, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can be part of a larger facility and can produce a final treated solid fuel for the larger facility. In an embodiment, the desired characteristics 132 of coal were manufactured using the desired characteristics of the solid fuel requested by the customer, the solid fuel that can be produced from the available received solid fuel, and the previously received solid fuel. Solid fuel properties, or the like, can be preserved.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing parameters may be generated by the parameter generation facility 128 based on the desired final processed solid fuel characteristics. The desired final treated solid fuel characteristics can be related to customer requirements for combustion, further processing, storage and resale, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing parameters may be generated based on the desired final solid fuel characteristics and the processing capability of the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, based on the desired final solid fuel requirement, the parameter generation facility 128 can retrieve and retrieve the solid fuel characteristics from the desired characteristics 122 of the coal for the desired final treated solid fuel. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can calculate favorable characteristics for the received solid fuel that is required to produce the desired final treated solid fuel. After calculation, the parameter generation facility 128 can search the coal sample data 120 to identify raw solid fuel that can be processed by the solid fuel processing facility 132 to produce the desired final treated solid fuel.

In an embodiment, the calculations performed by the parameter generation facility 128 may relate to the capacity of the solid fuel processing facility 132. Depending on the structure of the solid fuel processing facility 132 , the solid fuel processing facility 132 may have a certain ability to process the solid fuel. For example, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be capable of removing a proportion of moisture from the solid fuel during one course of solid fuel processing. In determining the appropriate raw solid fuel and selecting from the coal sampler 120, the parameter generation facility 128 calculates the desired amount of moisture in the final treated solid fuel and the moisture that can be removed from the raw solid fuel. Taking into account the quantity made, the moisture characteristics of the starting solid fuel can be determined. For example, if the desired final moisture content is 5 percent moisture content, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be able to remove 80 percent of the moisture from the raw solid fuel during one processing run. Then, the selected starting solid fuel can be selected from a group of raw solid fuels having a moisture content of 25 percent. Alternatively, the parameter generation facility 128 may select a raw solid fuel with a higher moisture content and determine that multiple courses of processing represent the most efficient or cost effective processing plan. A person skilled in the art can vary the processing capacity of the solid fuel processing facility 132 for different types of solid fuels, and depending on other characteristics of the solid fuel, the facility's solid fuel experience, or the like. It will be understood that this can change.

In an embodiment, the calculations performed by the parameter generation facility 128 may be performed for each desired solid fuel characteristic. In an embodiment, a calculation performed on a set of desired final solid fuel characteristics may yield a set of raw solid fuel characteristics. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may attempt to match a set of raw solid fuel characteristics with the raw fuel whose data is stored in the coal sample data 120. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may use a perfect match criterion, a best match criterion, a match based on a characteristic having a higher match priority, a combination of match criteria, a statistical match criterion, or the like, One can try to fit a set of parameters.

  In an embodiment, as a result of the adaptation process, the parameter generation facility 128 may find more than one raw solid fuel that meets the adaptation criteria. For example, a search for coal sample data 120 may result in more than one raw solid fuel when using the best fit criteria. In an embodiment, the best fit criteria may require identification of raw solid fuels that meet at least some of the desired solid fuel parameters, and the best match criteria may be raw solid fuels that meet most parameters. In an embodiment, the set of results from the parameter fitting process may include a graded list of suitable raw solid fuels, where the highest grade solid fuel may be at the top and the lowest grade is listed. May be at the bottom. In an embodiment, the grading list can be filtered as desired by the user.

  In an embodiment, the list of suitable raw solid fuels may be presented to the operator of the solid fuel processing facility 132 for the final selection of solid fuels used to produce the desired final processed solid fuel. In an embodiment, the operator may be presented with a list of matching raw solid fuels, and the list may contain a rating that indicates the raw solid fuel that is considered the best match. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may set a prioritization schedule that reflects the importance of a particular parameter match if a match is made to multiple characteristics. In an embodiment, if a match is made to multiple characteristics, the parameter generation facility 128 can calculate an overall fit index that represents the degree of fit among all the characteristics. In an embodiment, the prioritization schedule can be used to further emphasize certain characteristic fits for the purpose of calculating an overall fit index. In an embodiment, the parameters for evaluating the fit approximation can be selected by the user so that prioritization, aggregation, or other fit measures can be employed in keeping with the user's specifications. .

  In an embodiment, after the raw solid fuel is selected, the parameter generation facility 128 may generate a set of parameters for processing the selected raw solid fuel.

  In another embodiment, parameter generation facility 128 may calculate solid fuel processing parameters based on available solid fuel and solid fuel processing facility 132 capabilities. In embodiments, there may be at least one received solid fuel available to the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 selects one of the available raw solid fuels, determines the characteristics of the raw solid fuel from the coal sample data 120, and is based on the processing capacity of the solid fuel processing facility 132. The final treated solid fuel that can be produced can be determined. The parameter generation facility 128 can also model changes that occur in the raw solid fuel during one cycle of processing and during multiple cycles of processing. When considering the capabilities of a solid fuel processing facility, the parameter generation facility 128 is most efficient because it can model the results of processing raw solid fuel using several different processing parameters. A cost-effective processing schedule can be selected.

In an embodiment, a single raw solid fuel may be capable of producing more than one type of final treated solid fuel. For example, the selected raw solid fuel can have a moisture content of 30 percent, and the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can remove one-third to two-thirds of the moisture in each treatment run. It may be possible. Thus, a solid fuel processing facility may be capable of producing a final solid product having a moisture content between 10 percent and 20 percent in a single run. The second run can also yield a final solid product having a moisture content between 3.3% and 13.3% if one-third and two-thirds of the moisture is removed. Since the second execution and subsequent executions may not produce the same processing efficiency as the first execution, these executions may not remove the same moisture content as the initial execution. Also, processing in a single execution may be more efficient and / or cost effective than processing with multiple executions, and vice versa. Then, using a single run, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may be capable of producing a final solid fuel containing between 10 percent and 20 percent moisture. Using multiple runs, the solid fuel processing facility may be capable of producing a final solid fuel containing between 3 percent and 13 percent moisture. Users who desire a final solid fuel containing 10 percent moisture will use several different types of processing protocols, at least in part, depending on the economic aspects of performing the process using different parameters and different schedules. It may be possible to use this to derive this result.

  In an embodiment, parameter generation facility 128 may determine final solid fuel characteristics for all selected raw solid fuel characteristics based on the capabilities of solid fuel processing facility 132. One skilled in the art will appreciate that optimizing certain characteristics of the final solid fuel may involve non-ideal processing parameters to optimize other characteristics. Thus, multiple process runs can be selected, each considered with different parameters so that the diversity of final solid fuel properties can be optimized.

  In an embodiment, when controlling the operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, the parameter generation facility 128 may provide a final solid fuel for a desired solid fuel, a requested solid fuel, a previously produced solid fuel, or the like. Characteristics can be taken into account.

  In an embodiment, the operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be determined from the selected final desired solid fuel.

  In another embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may calculate operational parameters for the solid fuel processing facility 132 based on past solid fuel processed at the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may store historical information for previously received raw solid fuel and final processed solid fuel produced from the received raw solid fuel. Using this process, when a raw solid fuel is received, the parameter generation facility 128 can determine the processed solid fuel characteristics that can be produced with the raw solid fuel. The parameter generation facility 128 can also adapt the determined final processed solid fuel to the required final processed solid fuel for calculation of the operating parameters of the solid fuel processing facility 132.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can maintain historical operating parameter data for raw solid fuel processing received in the past, and the historical operating parameters can be used instead of calculating new parameters.

  In embodiments, the operating parameters of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 can be calculated for a continuous process, batch process, or other solid fuel treatment process.

  In an embodiment, after the parameter generation facility 128 has determined operating parameters for solid fuel processing, the operating parameters may be communicated to the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, the parameter control 140, or the like.

In an embodiment, the processing of solid fuel using a continuous processing process, batch process, combination of continuous and batch processes, or the like, feedback between monitoring equipment 134, controller 144, process sensor 142, and the like. A loop can be used to monitor.

  As described above, the parameter generation facility 128 can calculate the solid fuel processing parameters used by the various components of the solid fuel processing facility 132 to process the solid fuel to meet specific specifications. The specific specifications may be based on customer requirements, solid fuel processing facility 132 capabilities, available raw solid fuel, or the like.

  In an embodiment, during the processing of solid fuel at the solid fuel processing facility 132, the monitoring facility 134 may monitor the processing process by receiving processing information from the process sensor 142. In an embodiment, the controller 144 may provide operating instructions to various components (eg, the microwave system 148) for solid fuel processing. In an embodiment, the process sensor 142 may measure the operation of the solid fuel treatment facility 132. Sensor 142 measures input / output of various components of belt facility 130, non-solid fuel product released from solid fuel during processing, non-component measurement (eg, moisture level), or the like. Can do.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may receive solid fuel processing parameters from the parameter generation facility 128. When monitoring solid fuel processing, the monitoring facility 134 can apply a tolerance zone to the provided parameters. In embodiments, the tolerance zone can be based on component capabilities, sensor capabilities, minimum or maximum parameters required for processing certain solid fuels, solid fuel pre-processing, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may determine a tolerance zone that can be applied to the solid fuel processing parameters.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 may receive solid fuel parameters that have no tolerance zone. The controller can provide operating instructions based on solid fuel parameters that have no tolerance zone.

  In an embodiment, the process monitoring and feedback loop is between monitoring equipment 134, controller 144, and sensor 142 for continuous monitoring and updating of process parameters for continuous solid fuel processing, batch solid fuel processing, or the like. Can be established.

  In an embodiment, the feedback loop may begin with a parameter generation facility 128 that provides operational parameters to the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 can apply parameter tolerances to the operational parameters, which can be used to compare the sensor 142 signal with an acceptable processing result. In an embodiment, the operational parameters may include parameters for controlling components of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, non-component treatment measurements (eg, moisture removal rate), and the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use the sensor 142 information for non-component process measurements to modify parameters for component parameters.

In an embodiment, the controller 144 communicates operating parameters to components of the belt facility 130 such as a microwave system 148, a transport system, a preheat 138, a parameter control 140, a removal system 150, and the like, thereby providing a solid state Fuel processing can begin. In an embodiment, the controller 144 may communicate operational parameters to solid fuel processing components that have no tolerances. Having received the operating parameters, the solid fuel processing component can begin processing the solid fuel using a continuous process, a batch process, or the like.

  In an embodiment, once solid fuel processing begins, sensor 142 may begin to measure output from the operation of various solid fuel processing components. In an embodiment, the processing output can include measurements such as microwave power, microwave frequency, belt speed, temperature, air flow, inert gas level, and the like. In embodiments, the process output can include measurements of non-component outputs such as moisture removal, ash removal, sulfur removal, solid fuel surface temperature, air temperature, and the like. As previously described, the sensors 142 can be placed at various locations along the belt facility 130 to measure various solid fuel processing outputs.

  In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may provide the monitoring facility 134 with a sensor measurement of the solid fuel processing output. Monitoring facility 134 may receive sensor 142 measurements in real time during the processing of the solid fuel. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may compare the sensor 142 measurements with operational parameter tolerance zones.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 includes various algorithms and can modify operational parameters based on received sensor 142 measurements. If the measured value of sensor 142 is outside the tolerance range, the algorithm can determine the scale of the operation parameter correction. For example, the measured value of the sensor 142 may be within the tolerance range, above, or below.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use a real-time sensor 142 measurement, a sampling sensor 142 measurement, an average sensor 142 measurement, a statistical sensor 142 measurement, or the like, as a basis for operational parameter correction. Can be put in.

  In embodiments, operational parameter corrections can be made based on non-component sensor 142 measurements such as moisture removal, ash removal, sulfur removal, solid fuel surface temperature, solid fuel weight, and the like. In an embodiment, the modification facility 134 algorithm may associate a non-component sensor 142 measurement with a solid fuel processing facility 132 component parameter to adjust the non-component sensor 142 signal. For example, non-component measurements of moisture levels in a belt facility environment may include microwave system 148, microwave system power, microwave frequency, microwave duty cycle, number of microwave systems in operation, or the like May need to be increased or decreased. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 algorithm may combine the component sensor 142 signal with the associated sensor 142 signal to determine if a component parameter modification is required. For example, the sensor 142 signal for the power level of the microwave system 148 can be combined with the moisture level in the area of the microwave system 148. The result may be a microwave system 148 parameter modification consisting of the current power level setting of the microwave system 148 and the amount of moisture in the environment. In this example, the power setting of the microwave system 148 may have a higher measurement value compared to the desired parameter setting, but the moisture reading may be lower compared to the desired moisture level. . In this case, even if the power setting of the microwave system is already above the desired setting, the power setting parameter can be increased to further remove moisture from the solid fuel.

In an embodiment, the measurement of the non-component sensor 142 may be associated with two or more solid fuel processing facility 132 components. In an embodiment, there may be multiple non-component sensor 142 measurements for one component. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 algorithm may determine the best way to modify the operational parameters of the component to compensate for the non-component sensor 142 measurements that are outside the parameter tolerance range. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may have a predetermined sensor 142 adjustment, may have a parameter adjustment knowledge base, and uses a neural network to adjust parameters based on previous adjustments. Adjustments can be made by human intervention or the like. In an embodiment, the safety settings for the operational parameters of the component can be overridden or entered into a system that requires administrator intervention to override.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may maintain a history of operational parameter adjustments made during the processing of solid fuel. The monitoring facility 134 can refer to the parameter adjustment history when determining the scale of the next parameter adjustment. For example, the power of the microwave system 148 may have been previously adjusted to increase the amount of moisture released from the solid fuel. When determining the magnitude of the power adjustment of the microwave system 148 based on the signal of the new sensor 142, the monitoring facility 132 can refer to the previous parameter adjustment to determine the magnitude of the next parameter adjustment. For example, the parameter adjustment history can indicate that a 5 percent final microwave system 148 adjustment increased the moisture release by 2 percent. This information can be used to determine the power adjustment of the microwave system 148 to obtain the desired change in moisture released to the solid fuel. In an embodiment, the calibration curve can be derived from a series of measurements in the parameter adjustment history, so that parameter adjustments can be made more accurately in response to certain sensor 142 signals to achieve a desired result. it can.

  In an embodiment, once the monitoring facility 134 has adjusted to the solid fuel operating parameters, the adjusted parameters can be communicated to the controller 144 for transmission to various solid processing facility 132 components. In embodiments, the adjusted parameters can be communicated in real time, at certain time intervals, continuously, or the like.

  In an embodiment, once the controller 144 receives the adjusted parameters, the controller communicates the adjusted parameters to the various components in real time, at certain time intervals, continuously, or the like. Can do.

  In this way, the feedback loop of the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, and the sensor 142 continuously applies the operating parameters to the components of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, using the sensor 142 to Measuring component information, transmitting measured values to the monitoring facility 134, adjusting operating parameters, transmitting adjusted operating parameters to the controller, and the like can be performed.

  In an embodiment, a continuous feedback loop can be applied to operating parameters for a continuous process, batch process, or the like, for the treatment of solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the components of the solid fuel belt facility 130 may be controlled by operating parameters generated by the parameter generation facility 128 and modified by the monitoring facility 134. As described above, the operational parameters can be monitored and adjusted by the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144 can communicate the operational parameters to the components of the solid fuel belt facility 130.

  In embodiments, the solid fuel belt facility 130 may include components such as a transport belt, a microwave system, a sensor, a collection system, a preheating facility, a cooling facility, and the like. In embodiments, the solid fuel belt facility 130 may be a continuous processing facility, a batch facility, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the processing of the solid fuel to produce a final treated solid fuel that meets the desired characteristics is a component of the belt facility 130 using operating parameters selected to produce the desired solid fuel characteristics. Can be controlled by. It will be understood in the art that the desired properties of the final treated solid fuel can be produced by adjusting the control of two or more belt facility components. For example, the moisture released from the solid fuel during the treatment process may include the power of the microwave system 148, the frequency of the microwave system 148, the duty cycle of the microwave system 148, the preheating temperature, the belt speed, the atmospheric composition (eg, dry air Or inert gas), or the like, can be controlled individually or in combination. The component parameters of the belt facility 130 may be influenced by other requirements such as processed solid fuel per period, starting raw fuel characteristics, final processed fuel characteristics, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 may store operational parameters for components of the belt facility 130 and may transmit parameters to the components of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the controller 144 may convert the operational parameters into machine instructions that are understood and executed by components of the belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, sensor 142 can be used to measure the operation of components of belt facility 130 and to obtain information regarding solid fuel processing. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 receives information directly from components of the belt facility 130, such as the microwave system 148, or from environmental conditions that can result from processing of solid fuel such as moisture released from the solid fuel. Can be measured. In embodiments, environmental conditions can include moisture level, ash level, sulfur level, air temperature, solid fuel surface temperature, inert gas level, cooling rate, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be multiple sensors 142 that measure the same environmental conditions within the belt facility 130, either providing redundancy or taking measurements at different locations to track the progress of the process. Do. For example, there may be a plurality of sensors 142 for measuring moisture released from the solid fuel, the moisture sensor 142 located in the data microwave system 148 following the station of the microwave system 148, and the like. In addition, there may be a water sensor that measures the amount of liquid water collected at the water collection station in the belt facility 130. In embodiments, there may be a plurality of sensors for each type of measurement made within the belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, sensor 142 may record various component and non-component information and communicate the information to monitoring facility 134. As described above, the monitoring facility can use the received sensor 142 information to adjust the solid fuel processing parameters. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 can communicate adjusted solid fuel processing parameters to the controller to modify the processing of the solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the processing of the solid fuel can be continuously measured to ensure acquisition of the properties of the final processed solid fuel. Thus, the solid fuel treatment process can be continuously adjusted in response to any changes in the properties of the raw solid fuel. For example, the properties of the raw solid fuel, such as moisture content, can vary over the time that the raw solid fuel is processed. In this example, the moisture content can start at one level at the beginning of the process run and increase or decrease during the process. In an embodiment, any of the measurable solid fuel properties can change during the supply of solid fuel. By using the sensor 142 in the belt facility 130 while the solid fuel is being processed, the operating parameters can be adjusted to create a consistent set of characteristics during the entire solid fuel processing time. In an embodiment, the operating parameters of the belt facility 130 can be adjusted to obtain a consistent set of characteristics in the final treated solid fuel.

  In embodiments, once the solid fuel is processed, parameters that can be adjusted can include microwave energy, air temperature, inert gas level, air flow velocity, belt velocity, and the like. In embodiments, the operating parameters of the belt facility 130 can be monitored and adjusted individually, in groups, in related groups (eg, belt speed and microwave current), and the like.

  In embodiments, the method of monitoring and adjusting operational parameters can be applied to continuous processing processes, batch processing processes, or other solid processing methods. In batch processing, the characteristics of the incoming raw solid fuel can vary from batch to batch and require different operating parameters to create a consistent treated solid fuel at the end of the processing process.

  In an embodiment, the sensor 142 of the solid fuel belt facility 130 measures products released from the solid fuel as a result of solid fuel processing, measures operating parameters of components of the solid fuel belt facility 130, or Similar things can be done. Therefore, whether the sensor 142 transmits measurement information to the control device 144, transmits measurement information to the monitoring facility 134, transmits measurement information to the pricing / transaction facility, or transmits parameter control 140 measurement information. Or the same can be done. In an embodiment, the solid fuel belt facility 130 may process solid fuel in a continuous process, batch process, or the like, and the sensor 142 may record solid fuel processing information from these processes. it can.

In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may include belt speed, microwave system 148 power, microwave system 148 frequency, microwave system 148 duty cycle, air temperature, inert gas flow, air flow, air pressure, inert gas pressure, The component parameters of the belt facility 130 can be measured, which can include discharge product storage tank levels, heating rates, cooling rates, and the like. In addition, the sensor 142 may also include discharged water vapor, released sulfur vapor, collected water volume, collected sulfur volume, collected ash volume, solid fuel weight, solid fuel surface temperature, preheat temperature, cooling temperature, and the like. Component or environmental parameter information can also be measured. In embodiments, there may be at least one sensor 142 for each component of the belt facility. For example, the microwave system 148 can have two or more sensors 142 to measure power consumption, frequency, power output, and the like. In embodiments, there may be more than one sensor 142 that measures non-component parameters. For example, there may be two or more moisture level sensors 142 that measure moisture release throughout the solid fuel belt facility 130. There may be a moisture sensor 142 at the station of the microwave system 148, immediately after the station of the microwave system 148, or the like. There may be more than one station of the microwave system 148, which may also have more than one moisture sensor 142.

  In an embodiment, sensor 142 may measure resource consumption by solid fuel treatment facility 132, such as power consumed, inert gas used, gas used, oil used, or the like. It may be possible. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may measure a product produced by the solid fuel processing facility 132, such as water, sulfur, ash, or other product released from the solid fuel during processing.

  In an embodiment, sensor 142 may communicate measurement information to controller 144, monitoring facility 134, pricing / transaction facility 178, or the like. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 can be selectively selected, for example, not all of the information of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be communicated to all information receiving facilities.

  In an embodiment, the controller 144 may receive sensor 142 information from various belt facility 130 components. The controller may be responsible for maintaining the operational parameter states of the various belt facility 130 components. For example, the controller may be responsible for maintaining the belt speed in the solid fuel continuous processing process. The sensor 142 can provide belt speed information to the controller 144, which can allow the controller to maintain the parameter required speed. For example, as the amount of solid fuel is added or removed from the belt facility 130, different power levels may be required to maintain a uniform belt speed and the controller 144 may be used to maintain a uniform belt speed. Adjustments can be made to the required power.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may receive sensor 142 information that allows control of the operational parameters required to process the raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may include the frequency of the microwave system 148, the power of the microwave system 148, the duty cycle of the microwave system 148, the belt speed, the inert gas level, and the like. Information of the element sensor 142 can be received. In an embodiment, monitoring facility 134 may receive non-component sensor 142 information, which may include released moisture, released sulfur, released ash, solid fuel surface temperature, air temperature, and the like.

  As described above, the monitoring facility 134 uses components to detect and maintain the operational parameters necessary to process the solid fuel to produce the desired final treated solid fuel. The received sensor 142 information can be combined for both elements. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may receive a set of basic operating parameters from the parameter generation facility 128. Immediately thereafter, the monitoring facility 134 can adjust the basic operating parameters based on the received sensor 142 information. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may communicate adjusted operating parameters to the controller 144 for control of the solid fuel belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may receive sensor 142 information regarding, for example, the cost / benefit of the final processed solid fuel. In an embodiment, the cost / benefit related information includes the cost of producing the final treated solid fuel, consumables such as inert gas, the amount of non-solid fuel product collected, the amount of final treated solid fuel, or the like Can include or enable the calculation of things.

  In embodiments, cost related sensor information can include power used, inert gas used, solid fuel input, and the like. In an embodiment, there may be a sensor 142 that measures the power consumed by the components of each solid fuel treatment facility 132. In embodiments, the consumed power can include electricity, gas, oil, and the like. In embodiments, the consumables used can include an amount of inert gas, water, or the like.

  In embodiments, the benefit-related sensor information may include the amount of water collected, the amount of sulfur collected, the amount of ash collected, the amount of final treated solid fuel, or the like.

  In embodiments, the pricing / trading facility 178 may receive sensor 142 information in real time, in time increments, on demand, or the like. In embodiments, the on-demand information may be due to a request for pricing / transaction equipment 178, sensor 142, or the like.

In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may include a starting raw solid fuel cost per volume, a solid fuel processing facility 132 cost per volume, a solid fuel processing facility 132 benefit material (eg, water, sulfur, or ash). ), Information that can include solid fuel processing facility 132 consumables per volume, and the like, can be used to determine the price of the final processed solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, sensor 142 may include solid fuel intake, energy required for preheating, energy required for the belt, amount of inert gas, energy required for microwave system 148, solid fuel cooling. Cost / benefit information can be provided, which can include the energy required for the fuel, the amount of solid fuel removal, the collected water, the collected sulfur, the collected ash, or the like.

  In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may access the cost per unit of electricity, gas, oil, solid fuel, and the like. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may access market prices for emission products such as water, sulfur, ash, solid fuel, and the like.

  In an embodiment, using unit cost, cost information, and market price of the product, the pricing / trading facility 178 may determine the price of the final finished solid fuel, the released product, and the like. There may be. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 calculates the price of the final treated solid fuel in real time, as an average, as an average, at the end of a solid fuel run, incrementally, or the like. Can do.

  For example, the pricing / trading facility 178 may receive cost information for the first raw solid fuel from the coal sample data 120. The sensor of the intake facility 124 can provide a volume fraction of solid fuel entering the solid fuel belt facility 130 for processing. The sensors of the solid fuel belt facility 130 include the energy required to preheat the solid fuel, the energy required to transport the solid fuel, the velocity of the inert gas input to the belt facility 130, the microwave Information about the energy required for system 148, the energy required for cooling facility 164, the amount of final treated solid fuel removed from solid fuel processing facility 132, and the like can be provided. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may combine these sensor measurements with unit costs for each cost type to develop a cost model for the solid fuel being processed. In an embodiment, the cost model may include incrementally adding the cost of the individual components that process the solid fuel to the cost of the initial raw solid fuel so as to calculate the final processed solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the calculated price of the final treated solid fuel may be compared to the solid fuel market price to create an efficiency model for the solid fuel processing facility 132.

  In addition, the pricing / trading facility 178 is collected by a solid fuel processing facility 132 that may have a market price, such as water, sulfur, ash, other solid fuel emission products, or the like. Information about the amount of solid fuel product can be received. This information can be used to calculate unit market prices for various solid fuel emission products and provide a profit model for the solid fuel emission products.

  In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may calculate cost models, profit models, efficiency models, and other financial models for the operation of solid fuel treatment facility 132.

In an embodiment, the microwave system 148 of the belt facility 130 is one of the processing components of the plurality of solid fuel processing facilities 132 that operate on the solid fuel to remove undesirable products from the solid fuel. May be. The microwave system 148 can be used alone, in combination with multiple microwave systems 148, in combination with other processes to remove unwanted products, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the microwave produced by the microwave system 148 may be used to heat the unwanted solid fuel product to a temperature at which the unwanted solid fuel product can be released from the solid fuel. it can. In embodiments, the undesired solid fuel may be moisture, sulfur, ash, or the like. In embodiments, when microwave energy is applied to a solid fuel, as a gas, liquid, combination of gas and liquid, and / or the like, up to a temperature at which undesirable solid fuel products can be released from the solid fuel. Undesirable solid fuel products can be heated. For example, when the water contained in the solid fuel reaches a temperature that converts the water into steam, the water can be released as a gas. However, sulfur can be released as a gas or as a liquid depending on the sulfur temperature. In embodiments, when sulfur is heated, it can be released first as a liquid and then as a gas. In embodiments, it may be advantageous to promote complete release of undesirable products from solid fuel in order to release the products in two release stages.

  In an embodiment, there may be more than one belt facility 130 microwave system 148 for removal of undesired solid fuel products. In an embodiment, there may be more than one microwave system 148 within the belt facility 130. Two or more microwave systems 148 can apply different control parameters, such as frequency, power, duty cycle, or the like, to the solid fuel. In embodiments, different microwave system 148 control parameters can target certain undesirable products for removal from the solid fuel. In addition, the microwave system 148 may apply energy to convert undesired products to gas, apply energy to convert undesired products to liquid, or the like, Methods can be targeted to remove unwanted products.

  In embodiments, the microwave system 148 can include two or more microwave devices, each of which can operate independently, as part of a group, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the microwave system 148 can operate independently, and thus there may be a set of operating parameters for each of the independent microwave devices. For example, the microwave system 148 can have two or more independent microwave devices, and each independent microwave device can have control parameters such as power, frequency, duty cycle, or the like. In an embodiment, the controller 144 and the monitoring facility 134 can control each of the independent microwave devices.

  In embodiments, the independently controlled microwave device can perform different functions to achieve removal of undesirable solid fuel products. For example, a first microwave device can operate at a certain frequency with a constant power setting, while a second microwave device uses a duty cycle that allows the power setting to change over time, Can operate at different frequencies. Such combined operation of two microwave devices can target the removal of certain undesired products using a specific material phase (eg, gas or liquid).

In an embodiment, the microwave system 148 may include a plurality of microwave devices that operate as a group, and thus, for the entire microwave group, regardless of the number of microwave devices that may be in the group of microwave systems 148. There may be a set of operating parameters. For example, grouping multiple microwave devices, providing all microwave devices with the same frequency and power settings use multiple relatively small microwave devices instead of one large microwave device. Then, it may be a step of providing high microwave power to the solid fuel. The step of using a large number of relatively small microwave devices can allow for the configuration of microwave devices that provide effective removal of undesirable products.

  In the embodiment, the microwave system 148 can be changed to operate as a group of microwave devices from operating as an independent set of microwave devices, depending on the operation parameter transmission method. For example, when independent parameters are communicated to each microwave device, the microwave system 148 can operate as an independent microwave device, but when a group of operating parameters is communicated to the microwave device, the microwave system 148 can operate as a microwave device. The wave system 148 can operate as a group. In embodiments, the microwave system 148 can operate as an independent microwave device, a group of microwave devices, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the microwave system 148 may be disposed along the belt facility 130 to provide a combination of microwave system 148 processes that can produce the desired final treated solid fuel. For example, two or more microwave systems 148 can be spaced along the belt facility 130 to target the removal of moisture from the solid fuel. The first microwave system 148 can be instructed to remove a certain amount of moisture from the solid fuel, and the second microwave system 148 is located at a distance from the first microwave system 148. More water can be removed from the solid fuel. An additional microwave system 148 may be placed along the belt facility 130 and continue to reduce moisture as the solid fuel moves along the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, undesirable solid fuel products can be removed incrementally by being processed by multiple microwave systems 148 along the belt facility 130. In embodiments, there may be a distance between the microwave systems 148 that allow for the release of unwanted products, and the distance may provide time between processing steps. In embodiments, the microwave systems can be placed close together. It can be appreciated that this treatment process can be applied to the removal of other undesired solid fuel products, either independently or in combination with other undesired solid fuel products.

  In an embodiment, energy from the microwave system 148 may be applied in a separate belt facility 130, where the first belt facility 130 processes solid fuel and at least one other belt facility 130 further supplies solid fuel. To process. In an embodiment, each belt facility 130 may process solid fuel and then supply the product to additional belt facilities 130 until the final treated coal properties are reached.

  In embodiments, the batch processing facility can provide incremental removal of undesired solid fuel products. In an embodiment, the batch processing facility can have at least one microwave facility 148 that can be controlled with alternating operating parameters. For example, the microwave system 148 can operate with a first power, frequency, and duty cycle as a first processing step, with a different power, frequency, and duty cycle added as a second processing step. be able to. In embodiments, there may be a period between steps that allow the unwanted product to be completely released as a result of the processing step before performing another processing step. In an embodiment, there may be no period between processing steps, and continuous processing can be applied to batch solid fuel. In an embodiment, the batch processing facility may process the solid fuel with as many processing steps as are necessary to produce the final processed solid fuel.

  In embodiments, as described above, the microwave system 148 can be controlled by a feedback loop, which can include a sensor 142, a monitoring facility 134, a controller 144, and the like. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may be positioned along the belt facility 130 or in a batch facility to measure the effectiveness of the microwave system 148 in removing undesired solid fuel products. it can. Sensors are placed in or after the microwave system 148 to measure undesired gas released products, to measure undesired liquid released products, or the like. It can be carried out.

  In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may communicate solid fuel processing signals from a plurality of sensor locations to the monitoring facility 134. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may have a target signal for each sensor 142 in the processing process. When the sensor 142 signal is received from the sensor 142, the monitoring facility 134 compares the received sensor 142 signal to the target sensor signal to determine whether the solid fuel processing process is processing the solid fuel as required. Can decide. In an embodiment, based on the received sensor 142 signal, the monitoring facility 134 can communicate adjusted operating parameters to components of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may associate each sensor 142 in the belt facility with the operation of a component of the belt facility 130. In an embodiment, the signal of each sensor 142 can be weighted so that it can be applied to control the components. For example, a first sensor 142 that is located at the same location as one of the microwave systems 148 can be valued more than a second sensor that is located slightly away from the microwave system 148 downstream. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may maintain a table of sensor weights that specify the weights to be given to the sensor 142 signal.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may enable the monitoring facility 134 to track instantaneous sensor signals, average sensor signals, statistical sensor signals, sensor signal trends, sensor signal rate of change, or the like, previously The signal of the sensor 142 can be stored. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 can use any of the sensor tracking methods to determine whether a component parameter requires adjustment.

  In an embodiment, different sensor signals 142 may be used to adjust different parameters of the belt facility 130 components. For example, the first sensor 142 can be used to monitor and adjust the frequency of the microwave system 148, and the second sensor 142 is used to monitor and adjust the power of the microwave system 148. be able to. In an embodiment, a plurality of sensors 142 that can be associated with the microwave system 148 can be used to monitor and tune individual microwave devices within the microwave system 148. For example, if there are four microwave devices in one microwave system 148, multiple sensors associated with the microwave system 148 can be used to individually tune the four microwave devices. In addition, any of the microwave systems 148 along the belt facility 130 can be similarly controlled, either individually or in groups.

  It can be appreciated that any of the belt equipment components can be controlled in the same manner.

In an embodiment, components of the belt facility 130 may receive adjusted parameters of the monitoring facility 134 based on the characteristics of the final treated solid fuel. In an embodiment, after the solid fuel is fully processed at the solid fuel processing facility 132, the test facility 170 may test a sample of the final processed solid fuel for determination of final solid fuel characteristics. In an embodiment, the test facility 170 may be part of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, and may be a test facility external to the solid fuel treatment facility 132, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the test equipment 170 includes moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, Solid fuels can be tested for ash melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. In an embodiment, these final solid fuel characteristics can be stored in coal power parameters 172, where they are available for coal desired characteristics 122, feedback equipment 174, monitoring equipment 134, and the like. It may be.

  In an embodiment, final solid fuel characteristics may be determined while the same solid fuel run is being processed at the solid fuel processing facility 132. In embodiments, some final solid fuel characteristics may be available while the solid fuel is still being processed. Some characteristics can be determined at a field test facility 170 that can allow feedback to be provided to the monitoring facility 134 in real time.

  In an embodiment, the coal output parameter 172 may communicate test information to the monitoring facility 134, and the monitoring facility 134 may retrieve test information from the coal output parameter 172, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use the received solid fuel test information as an added input that is taken into account in adjusting the operating parameters of the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can access test information stored in the coal output parameters 172 via the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, and thus use historical test information in generating initial operational parameters. can do. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may communicate historical test information to the monitoring facility 134. In embodiments, the transmitted historical test information may be information summary, statistical information, sample information, trend information, test information compared to previous operating parameters, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 compares historical test information from the parameter generation facility 128 with new test information from the coal output parameter 172 and how the new test information can be related to the historical information. Can be determined. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may store new test information once the test is complete. In an embodiment, the new test information may be stored in the monitoring facility 134 for a period of time during which a particular run of raw solid fuel is processed by the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the stored test information may be historical information for the current raw solid fuel processing run. In embodiments, the stored information may provide trend information, statistical information, sample information, or the like of current solid fuel processing performance. In an embodiment, the saved information can be saved along with the operational parameters when test information is received. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility can analyze the relationship of operating parameters when test information is received against parameter trends compared to final test information.

In an embodiment, when new test information is received by the monitoring facility 134, the information may be compared to historical test information, compared to stored test information, or the like. it can. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use test information comparison as a factor in adjusting the operating parameters of the solid fuel processing facility 132. In embodiments, the test information can be used as a direct parameter adjustment factor, an indirect parameter adjustment factor (eg, a multiplier), a combination of direct and indirect factors, or the like.

  In an embodiment, if the operating parameters being used to process the solid fuel are producing the desired final treated solid fuel, the test information may affect the adjustment of the operating parameters by indicating to the monitoring facility 134. Can affect. For example, the sensor 142 of the belt facility 130 can indicate that an appropriate amount of moisture has been removed from the solid fuel during processing, but the test information provides characteristic data to indicate that the sensor 142 of the belt facility 130 It can be shown that a moisture content different from that which would be calculated using data from is retained in the solid fuel. In an embodiment, the test information can be used to adjust operational parameters, and the processing of the solid fuel can be amended to cause changes in the final test information characteristics.

  In an embodiment, the test information may be added to the table of parameter weights, to adjust factors in the algorithm used to adjust the operating parameters, or to add belt equipment configuration when processing solid fuel. Determine whether the element needs to be utilized (eg, more microwave systems 148 are in operation) or whether additional execution of solid fuel through the treatment process is required It can be used by the monitoring facility 134 for (e.g., multiple processing paths) or the like.

  In an embodiment, non-fuel products that are removed from the solid fuel during processing may be collected by the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 can measure product release from solid fuel as a gas, liquid, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144 may work with the sensor 142 to control the removal of released products. In an embodiment, sensor 142, monitoring facility 134, controller 144, or the like may communicate information about the released product to pricing / trading facility 178. In an embodiment, the sensor 142 information received at the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144 may allow for the calculation of instantaneous removal rate, average rate, total released product, type of released product, or the like.

  In embodiments, the non-fuel product removes released gas, released liquid, and released gas that can agglomerate into liquid or the like when released from solid fuel during processing. Can be collected by a removal system 150 that may be able to. In embodiments, there may be more than one removal system 150 in the solid fuel treatment facility 132. In embodiments, the released gas can be collected in vents, tubes, or containers for transporting gas to the storage facility 162, the processing facility 160, the disposal facility 158, or the like. In an embodiment, the discharged liquid and the gas condensing into the liquid are collected in a liquid reservoir, tube, or container for transporting the liquid to the storage facility 162, processing facility 160, disposal facility 158, or the like. can do.

In an embodiment, there may be a sensor 142 that measures the amount of non-fuel product released and communicates the measured value to the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, and the like. In embodiments, the monitoring facility 134 can determine the amount of product released, the rate of product release, the amount of product released in the reservoir, the rate of removal of the released gas, and the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may determine whether the removal rate of the non-fuel product needs to be increased, decreased or changed in harmony with the release rate of the solid fuel product. For example, the monitoring facility 134 can receive information from the sensor 142 that more discharged liquid product has been formed than has been removed from the solid fuel processing facility 132 by the liquid collection repository. In response to this information, the monitoring facility 134 can instruct the controller 144 to increase the rate of liquid removal. In embodiments, this can involve increasing the pump speed to change the removal rate, starting another pump to change the removal rate, or the like. In a similar manner, the gas sensor 142 indicates to the monitoring facility 134 that the characteristics of the gas release atmosphere (pressure, temperature, gas concentration, and the like) are not being removed at the proper rate. You can communicate the indication. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may increase the gas removal rate by adjusting the fan speed, starting another fan, stopping the fan, changing the pressure in the gas storage chamber, or the like. The controller 144 can be instructed to change. In an embodiment, the removal system 150 of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be controlled individually or as part of a group.

  In an embodiment, the sensors 142 may be placed at various locations along the belt facility 130 to measure various solid fuel processing results. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may adjust the operation of the release system 150 based on, for example, a sensor 142 signal that indicates the percentage or amount of release product. The monitoring facility 134 can calculate the release rate of the non-fuel product based on the signal of the sensor 142 and based on the product release rate, product level, product atmosphere signal, or the like, The removal rate of the removal system 150 can be adjusted. In an embodiment, there may be a sensor 142 that measures emission products, such as water, sulfur, ash, and the like, relative to the treatment location for the solid fuel treatment 132. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may be able to adjust the processing site removal system 150 to maintain an appropriate removal rate for non-fuel products.

  In embodiments, as described above, the collected released non-fuel product can be processed by containment facility 162, processing facility 160, disposal facility 158, and the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may have sensors 142 that can provide information about the status of these facilities. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, the removal system 150, or the like controls the rate at which the collected released non-fuel product is collected, separated, disposed of, or handled. Can do. In an embodiment, collection of removed released non-fuel product proceeds until a threshold amount is collected, at which time the operator of the solid fuel processing facility 132 removes the released product from the collection facility. You can get a signal that you need it. In embodiments, a release product, such as water, can be released from the solid fuel treatment facility 132 without being collected or agglomerated.

  In embodiments, sensor 142, monitoring facility 134, controller 144, or the like can communicate emission product information to pricing / trading facility 178. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may have market related information, such as market prices or disposal costs, available for each removed non-fuel product. In embodiments, the determination of disposal of removed released fuel products can be based on their market price, their disposal cost, or the like. Market-related information can include information regarding regulatory aspects of specific products, such as environmental taxes or charges that can be applied to the production or disposal of specific substances. In an embodiment, based on information communicated by sensor 142, monitoring facility 134, controller 144, or the like, pricing / trading facility 178 may determine the price of the released non-fuel product, the price of the released product. It may be possible to calculate costs, or the like. For example, the collected liquid sulfur may have a market price for industrial use, while the collected ash may not have a market price and may be expensive to dispose of in a landfill.

It will be appreciated that market related information can be applied to many different markets. For example, the collected ash can have a market price ranging from a negative value (due to disposal costs) to a set of positive values depending on its requirements in different industrial applications. In embodiments, the pricing / trading facility 178 calculates the price of the released non-fuel product per unit time, the average value per unit of solid fuel, the instantaneous price based on the rate of removal, or the like. be able to. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may calculate the price of the processed solid fuel and include the price or cost of the released non-fuel product collected from the solid fuel run. For example, the pricing / trading facility 178 may receive emission product information for a particular execution of processed solid fuel. Pricing / trading facility 178 may calculate the cost of the solid fuel by calculating the overall cost and thus calculating the cost of the solid fuel and the cost / price of the total released non-fuel product. it can.

  In embodiments, the pricing / trading facility 178 calculates the cost of producing the final treated solid fuel, the price of the final treated solid fuel, the cost of disposal of the released product, the price of the released product, or the like. Algorithms can be included. In an embodiment, the algorithm receives raw solid fuel prices from the coal sample data 120, final processed solid fuel costs from the coal output parameters 172, interprocess processing costs from the solid fuel processing facility 132, and the like. Can be included.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate cost information, price information, or the like for all solid fuel processing runs or for any part of the solid fuel processing runs. it can. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate cost and price information periodically, at the end of the run, on demand for a portion of the run, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / transaction facility 178 can aggregate raw solid fuel price information from the coal sample data 120. In embodiments, the price of raw solid fuel may be the price per unit, the total price of the entire raw solid fuel received, or the like. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 determines the total amount of solid fuel that is processed during a run or part of a run and calculates the total price of the raw solid fuel per unit of raw solid fuel. By using the price, the price of the raw solid fuel used during processing can be calculated. In an embodiment, the price of the used raw solid fuel may be an input to a solid fuel price algorithm.

  In embodiments, as described above, operational parameters can be provided as feedback to pricing / trading facility 178 over the execution of solid fuel processing. In an embodiment, the operating parameters include the costs involved in processing the solid fuel, such as electricity used, gas used, oil used, inert gas used, and the like. Can do. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate all operating costs from the solid fuel processing execution. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may store per unit cost information for all operational parameters. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may use the cost per each individual unit and the amount of operating units used to calculate the operating parameter cost for the solid fuel processing run. In an embodiment, the operating cost of solid fuel processing may be an input to the solid fuel price algorithm.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate the market price of the solid fuel release product, the disposal cost of the solid fuel release product, and the like. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may store cost per unit information, market price information per unit, or the like for all solid fuel emission products. In an embodiment, the aggregated emission product cost and market price may be input to a solid fuel price algorithm.

In an embodiment, the pricing / transaction facility 178 may store operating profit information. In embodiments, the operating profit information may relate to the type of solid fuel being processed, the marketability of the processed solid fuel, the amount of solid fuel processing required, or the like. In embodiments, the operating profit may be a percentage of solid fuel processing costs, a fixed profit per unit of solid fuel processed, a fixed profit per unit of solid fuel delivered to the customer, or the like. . In an embodiment, operating profit may be an input to a solid fuel price algorithm.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 is a combination of the price of raw solid fuel used, operating costs, the cost / market price of released solid fuel products, operating costs, and the like The final market price of the solid fuel can be determined. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 stores the final market price, reports the final market price to the solid fuel processing facility, reports the final market price to the customer, and the like. Can do. In embodiments, the market price of stored solid fuel may be available for further analysis and calculation, including historical aggregation, queries, data trending, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the raw solid fuel can be processed for a specific end use facility. In embodiments, the end use facility may be one of many end use customers, dedicated customers, end use facilities directly associated with the solid fuel processing facility 132, or the like. In an embodiment, the end use facility may be a coal combustion facility 200, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the coal combustion facility 200 may include a power generation facility 204, a metallurgical facility 208, or the like. The power generation facility 204 may include a fixed bed coal combustion facility 220, a pulverized coal combustion facility 222, a fluidized bed combustion facility 224, a combined combustion facility 228 that uses a renewable energy source, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the coal conversion facility may be a gasification facility 230, an integrated gasification combined cycle facility 232, a synthesis gas production facility 234, a coke formation facility 238, a refined carbon formation facility 238, a hydrocarbon formation facility 240, or the like. Can be included.

  In an embodiment, the coal by-product facility 212 may include a coal combustion by-product facility 242, a coal distillation by-product facility 244, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the end use facility may communicate a request for processed solid fuel by issuing a solid fuel processing requirement to the coal output parameter 172. The requirements can provide the desired characteristics of the solid fuel of the end use facility. In an embodiment, the desired properties of the solid fuel include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon rate, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total It may include mercury, ash melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like.

  In embodiments, the end use facility may designate a particular raw solid fuel to process, allow the solid fuel processing facility 132 to select the best raw solid fuel to process, or a combination thereof. .

In an embodiment, once the solid fuel processing requirements are input as the coal output parameter 172, the solid fuel processing facility may determine whether to be processed by a continuous processing process, a batch process, or other processing method. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may determine the amount of end user solid fuel required, the solid fuel characteristics of the end use facility required, the available raw solid fuel, the capability of different processing methods, or the like. The processing method can be determined based on the included factors. For example, a batch process may be useful for relatively small amounts of the required treated solid fuel, while a continuous processing process can advantageously produce relatively large amounts. For processed solid fuels with narrow processing specifications, the solid fuel processing facility 132 can select a batch process to better maintain output for each characteristic. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other reasons for deciding whether to select a batch or continuous processing process to process the solid fuel required by the end user.

  In embodiments, the end use facility may require a specific solid fuel to use, or may require a raw solid fuel with certain characteristics, or may require a series of raw solid fuels as input. Can or can do the same. In an embodiment, the end use facility may have information about a particular lot of raw solid fuel available for processing at the solid fuel treatment facility 132, and the end use facility may have the raw solid fuel from the available lot. One of them can be selected. In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may provide a list of raw solid fuels available to the end use facility, or the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may be processed to the end use facility. A list of solid fuels can be provided. Other methods that allow the end user to determine the input of raw solid fuel will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may make a final decision on the input of raw solid fuel. In embodiments, the determination of raw solid fuel selection may be based on the capabilities of the solid fuel processing facility 132, the past processing of a particular raw solid fuel, the nature of the raw solid fuel, or the like.

  In an embodiment, once the solid fuel processing facility 132 receives the end-use facility requirements, the solid fuel processing facility 132 may select the best-fit raw solid fuel to produce the requested final processed solid fuel. it can. In an embodiment, the coal sample data 120 can be retrieved by the parameter generation facility 128 to determine the best-fit raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, the best-fit solid fuel is the final treated solid fuel characteristics required by the end user, continuous processing facility capacity, batch facility capacity, end-use facility solid fuel requirement tolerance, or the like Can be selected according to the criteria.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can determine parameters that can be used to process the raw solid fuel once it has been selected to process the properties required by the end user. As described above, the parameter generation facility 128 can derive the final treated solid fuel characteristics from the coal desired characteristics 122, where the coal desired characteristics 122 can be determined by the end user. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may use an algorithm that calculates operational parameters for the processing of raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, the algorithm may determine the capability of the solid fuel processing facility 132, the difference between the selected raw solid fuel and the required solid fuel of the end-use facility, past results in processing the same raw solid fuel, or similar Variables such as things can be considered. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may then operate the operational parameters of the components of the belt facility 130 (eg, the microwave system 148), the number of times the raw solid fuel can be processed, the heating rate, the cooling rate, Atmospheric conditions that can be used during removal, removal of released products from the raw solid fuel, and the like can be set. In an embodiment, parameter generation facility 128 may communicate operational parameters to monitoring facility 134 and controller 144 to control raw solid fuel processing.

The parameter generation facility 128 may select the raw solid fuel that will be used to produce the required solid fuel for the end use facility using a variety of methods that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may recover the end-use facility solid fuel characteristics from the coal desired characteristics 122. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can use key characteristics from the solid fuel characteristics of the end use facility to select the raw solid fuel. In embodiments, the key characteristics of the desired end product are provided by the end use facility, determined by the parameter generation facility 128, determined by the capacity of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, or the like. Can do.

  The main characteristics can be used to determine the treatment process for the raw solid fuel. In embodiments, the primary characteristics can be ranked in order of importance of the solid fuel characteristics of the end-use facility. Alternatively, grading can be provided by end use equipment, parameter generation equipment 128, or any other suitable equipment. In an embodiment, the grading can be ordered according to the end use of the solid fuel. For example, an end use facility may indicate that some moisture level in the final treated solid fuel is required, while other characteristics are less important. Because the moisture level has the highest class of desired processed fuel properties, the settings required to maintain the desired moisture level will dominate other settings.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may use key characteristics to select a raw solid fuel from among available raw solid fuels. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may determine operational parameters for processing the raw solid fuel to produce the end use facility solid fuel by using the key characteristics. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 sets operational parameters based only on the primary characteristics, or the parameter generation facility 128 may use the primary characteristics along with other characteristics to determine the operational parameters. .

  In embodiments, the determined operational parameters can be communicated to the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, or the like. In an embodiment, the monitoring facility 134 may use the sensor 142 of the belt facility 130 to monitor and adjust operating parameters during the solid fuel processing process. In an embodiment, once the solid fuel is processed, the sensor 142 can measure operational parameters for key characteristics and communicate the sensor 142 signal to the monitoring facility 134. If the monitoring facility determines that the operating parameter needs to be adjusted to obtain the main characteristics of the solid fuel, the monitoring facility 134 can communicate the adjusted operating parameter to the controller 144. In an embodiment, the controller 144 can process the solid fuel toward the operating parameters by providing control of the components of the belt facility 130.

  In an embodiment, using the processing feedback loop of the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, and the sensor 142, the solid fuel processing facility 132 processes the raw solid fuel into the required solid fuel of the end use facility. In embodiments, the solid fuel can be processed using a continuous process, a batch process, a combination of continuous and batch processes, or the like.

  In an embodiment, at the end of the treatment process, the final treated solid fuel can be tested in the test facility 170 to determine the characteristics of the final treated solid fuel. In an embodiment, the properties of the tested solid fuel can be compared to the properties of the solid fuel of the original end use facility. In embodiments, the compared characteristics may be primary characteristics, all solid fuel characteristics, or combinations or subsets thereof. In an embodiment, the test facility 170 may determine whether the final treated solid fuel is within the required characteristics of the required solid fuel of the end use facility. In an embodiment, the tested characteristics can be communicated to the monitoring facility 134 as the solid fuel is processed. In an embodiment, monitoring facility 134 may adjust operational parameters based on characteristics provided by test facility 170.

In an embodiment, if it is determined that the final processed solid fuel does not meet the requirements of the end use facility, the final processed solid fuel can be further processed at the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, once the solid fuel has been processed, the final processed solid fuel can be stored in a temporary storage area until it is determined that it meets the requirements of the end use facility. Once it is determined that the final solid fuel meets the requirements of the end use facility, the final solid fuel can be transported to the end use facility.

  In an embodiment, the tested characteristics of the final treated solid fuel can be stored along with the coal power parameter 172. In an embodiment, the test characteristics of the stored final treated solid fuel may be used for historical purposes, for future selection by the end-use facility as the desired solid fuel, to the required solid fuel of the end-use facility. It can be used for final verification of completed processing of raw solid fuel or for other applications as envisioned by those skilled in the art.

  In an embodiment, a transaction for processing raw solid fuel can be performed for a particular end-use facility. In an embodiment, the transaction may be a calculation of the cost for processing the raw solid fuel for the end use facility. In embodiments, the costs for processing raw solid fuel include electricity, gas, oil, inert gas, disposal of released solid fuel product, transport of raw solid fuel, final processed solids to end-use equipment Costs related to fuel transportation and the like can be included. In an embodiment, the transaction may include revenue realized from the processing of solid fuel, including revenue from sales of released solid fuel products or final processed solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, a request by each end-use facility for processed solid fuel may be processed as a transaction. In an embodiment, once the end-use facility communicates characteristics for the desired final treated solid fuel, the pricing / trading facility 178 may begin to aggregate financial metrics that process the raw solid fuel to obtain the desired characteristics. it can. For example, a pricing / trading facility launches an expense file, ledger, database, schedule, or the like, and financial metrics associated with raw solid fuel processing (eg, expense, income, profit, and loss) Can be tabulated.

  In an embodiment, once the parameter generation facility 128 selects the raw solid fuel, the raw solid fuel indication may be communicated to the pricing / trading facility 178. Using the raw solid fuel indication, the pricing / trading facility 178 may retrieve raw solid fuel cost information from the coal sample data 120. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may store raw solid fuel cost information in a cost file for a particular process execution. Cost information may include cost per unit (eg, cost / ton), total cost of raw solid fuel, total number of available units, and the like. Based on the amount of processed solid fuel required by the end-use facility, the pricing / trading facility 178 determines the cost of the raw solid fuel required to produce the solid fuel as required by the end-use facility. And it may be possible to calculate the cost ratio.

  As described above, the parameter generation facility 128 can generate operational parameters to process the raw solid fuel and can communicate the operational parameters to the monitoring facility 134, the controller 144, or the like. Monitoring equipment 134, controller 144, or the like, provides operational information to components such as heaters, belts, microwave system 148, vents, pumps, removal system 150, and the like, The processing of the raw solid fuel can be controlled. During the processing of raw solid fuel, various components can be activated that can incur energy costs and consume electricity, gas, oil, or the like. In an embodiment, the solid fuel treatment facility 132 may have a sensor 142 that can measure the operation of various components. In an embodiment, sensor 142 may also measure the energy consumed by each of the components during raw solid fuel processing.

In an embodiment, the sensor may communicate the energy usage of each component to the pricing / trading facility 178 during processing of the raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, pricing / transaction equipment 178
May save costs per unit for various energy types, and may be able to convert the energy utilization of the solid fuel treatment facility 132 to cost prices. For example, the sensor can communicate data about the kilowatts used by the microwave system 148 to a pricing / trading facility 178 that accesses information about the cost per kilowatt. Using these utilization data and this pricing information, the pricing / trading facility 178 can calculate the cost of operating the microwave system 148 to process a given lot of raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate the costs of processing the raw solid fuel during processing execution and store these aggregated costs in a cost file for the solid fuel processing of the end-use facility. be able to. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may aggregate costs for multiple processing runs for further calculation and analysis.

  In embodiments, additional costs and benefits / losses can be associated with non-fuel products collected during raw solid fuel processing. In embodiments, non-fuel products such as water, sulfur, ash, and the like can be obtained during processing of the raw solid fuel. Some of these collected non-fuel products can have market prices and can be sold (eg, sulfur). Since there may be no market for certain other fuel products, they require costly disposal.

  In an embodiment, the sensor 142 may measure the amount of released non-fuel product collected at the storage facility 162, the processing facility 160, the disposal facility 158, and the like. These sensors 142 can then communicate data about the amount of such products to the pricing / trading facility 178. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 stores information about market prices, disposal costs, and the like for various non-fuel products and associated with each profit or cost of each released product. Costs and benefits / losses to be calculated. For example, monitoring facility 134, controller 144, sensor 142, or the like may indicate to pricing / trading facility 178 that an amount of sulfur (non-fuel product) is collected and available for sale. it can. Pricing / trading facility 178 can arrange for the sale of collected sulfur and transfer to businesses that use sulfur. Thereafter, the pricing / trading facility 178 can calculate the cost of the coal processing facility 132 that produces sulfur, or can calculate revenue from sulfur as a function of production costs, or will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Other financial calculations can be made.

  Calculations for costs, profits / losses, expected revenues and the like can also be collected by non-fuel products using, for example, actual data or forecasts for the market price of the particular non-fuel product being tracked As it can be done and at any point during coal processing, a predicted set of production costs, revenues, profits / losses, and the like can be obtained. Actual figures obtained after sale and / or transfer of non-fuel products can be compared to forecasts, or forecasts can be compared to actual figures in the past. Other uses for a combination of real time, predicted, and historical financial information will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may store financial information about non-fuel products (including production costs, revenues, and the like) in a cost file for solid fuel processing at the end-use facility. it can.

  In an embodiment, based on the location of the end-use facility, the amount of the final treated solid fuel, the transport method for transporting the solid fuel, and the like, the pricing / trading facility 178 sends the treated fuel to the end-use facility. It is possible to calculate the transportation cost for transportation. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may use data about transportation to calculate the total cost of solid fuel for the end-use facility. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may store the transportation costs in a cost file for solid fuel processing at the end-use facility.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may determine the operating profit / loss for processing the raw solid fuel into the requested end-use facility solid fuel. A number of algorithms are available to determine this operating profit / loss, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, operating profit / loss may be determined as a percentage of the total cost of processing raw solid fuel or as a set profit / loss per unit of processed solid fuel. In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may store operating profits in a cost file for solid fuel processing at the end-use facility.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may receive an indication from the monitoring facility 134, controller 144, sensor 142, or the like that the raw solid fuel processing for the end use facility is complete. In an embodiment, once the raw solid fuel processing has been indicated, the pricing / trading facility 178 may determine that all solid fuel processing costs and benefits / Loss can be aggregated. In an embodiment, cost and profit aggregation may use standard accounting practices. In an embodiment, the final end use solid fuel price may be communicated to the end use facility. Alternatively, as described above, the pricing / trading facility can provide forecasts for costs, profits / losses, expected revenues, and the like throughout the course of the process, and the end-use facility can process itself. Make it possible to make economic decisions during

  In an embodiment, the solid fuel information can be stored in at least one storage facility as a database. In embodiments, the at least one storage facility may be a hard drive, a CD drive, a DVD drive, a flash drive, a zip drive, a tape drive, or the like. In embodiments, the at least one storage facility may be a single storage facility, multiple local storage facilities, multiple distributed storage facilities, a combination of local and distributed storage facilities, or the like. In embodiments, the database may be a database, relational database, SQL database, table, file, flat file, ASCII file, document, XML file, or the like.

In an embodiment, the solid fuel information is information about the received raw solid fuel, the desired solid fuel characteristics of the end use facility, the operating parameters of the solid fuel processing facility 132 , the test information of the final processed solid fuel, or the like. There may be. The solid fuel information can be stored in equipment such as coal sample data 120, desired coal characteristics 122, coal output parameters 172, parameter generation equipment 128, monitoring equipment 134, controller 144 , or the like.

  In an embodiment, coal sample data 120 stores raw solid fuel characteristics as a database for access by equipment such as parameter generation equipment 128, coal desired characteristics 122, pricing / trading equipment 178, or the like. can do. In the embodiment, the coal characteristics include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash Melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. These solid fuel properties can be provided by the mine 102, storage facility 112, test facility 170, or the like. In an embodiment, the characteristics in the database may represent the starting state of the solid fuel prior to processing the end use facility to the solid fuel.

In an embodiment, the database of coal sample data 120 may be searchable to allow recovery of raw solid fuel information. In an embodiment, raw solid fuel information may be collected by the parameter generation facility 128 and the raw solid fuel may be selected for use in the end-use facility's process conversion to solid fuel. In an embodiment, the stored raw solid fuel information database may include a single record for each raw solid fuel or multiple records for each raw solid fuel. In embodiments, there may be multiple records as a result of periodic samples, raw samples, random samples, or the like of raw solid fuel. In an embodiment, when coal sample data 120 is retrieved, two or more compliance records can be returned for each raw solid fuel.

In an embodiment, the desired characteristics 122 of coal may be the end user solid fuel characteristics, available raw solids as a database for access by the parameter generation facility 128, coal sample data 120, coal output parameters 172, or the like. The characteristics of the treated solid fuel based on the fuel, the characteristics of the past treated solid fuel, or the like can be preserved. In an embodiment, the coal characteristics include moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lbM-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury, ash content. Melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like can be included. These solid fuel characteristics may be provided by equipment such as parameter generation equipment 128 , coal power parameters 172, end use equipment, or the like. In an embodiment, the characteristics in the database may represent the final state of the processed solid fuel after processing of the raw solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the database of desired coal characteristics 122 may be retrievable so that the final processed solid fuel information can be retrieved. In an embodiment, the final processed solid fuel information is retrieved by the parameter generation facility 128 to select the solid fuel characteristics of the end use facility for generation of operational parameters for the solid fuel processing facility 132. In an embodiment, the stored final processed solid fuel information database may include a single record for each solid fuel or multiple records for each solid fuel. In embodiments, there may be multiple records as a result of periodic samples, statistical samples, random samples, or the like. In an embodiment, two or more matched records can be returned for each raw solid fuel once the desired characteristics 122 of coal are retrieved.

  In an embodiment, using the coal sample data 120 and the desired characteristics 122 of the coal, the parameter generation facility 128 may generate operating parameters for the solid fuel treatment facility 132. The operational parameters may be a data set for the control of various components of the solid fuel processing facility 132 for the processing of the raw solid fuel into the solid fuel of the end use facility. The operational parameters can be stored in a database at any associated facility including the parameter generating facility 128, the monitoring facility 134, or the controller 144. In addition to the operational parameters, the parameter generation facility 128 can generate a set of tolerances for each function that can be stored in the same database as the operational parameters or can be stored as separate databases. In an embodiment, the combined operating parameter and tolerance data set may provide substantially all of the requirements for control of solid fuel processing.

  In an embodiment, the treatment process can be dictated by operational parameters, and the measurement of sensor 142 determines whether a particular solid fuel treatment facility 132 component is functioning within preset tolerances. Used for. Based on sensor 142 measurements, the operation of a particular component can be adjusted to be within tolerance limits. In addition, the operation parameters can be adjusted so that the function of a specific component is within a preset limit. For example, if the sensor 142 measurement exceeds either the lower or upper tolerance of the microwave system 148, the operating parameters for the microwave system 148 can be adjusted from the original operating parameters. In an embodiment, the operational parameter database may be modified to accommodate adjustments to operational parameters communicated to the components.

  In an embodiment, after the final processing of the solid fuel is completed, the monitoring facility 134 can communicate a database of final modified operating parameters to the parameter generation facility 128 where the modified operational parameters can be stored. In an embodiment, the stored modified operating parameter may be associated with a stored characteristic of the raw solid fuel that has been processed using the modified operating parameter. According to this embodiment, when processing a similar future raw solid fuel, the parameter generation facility 128 may search a stored modified operating database to search for a data set to use as an initial operating parameter. it can. In an embodiment, a single raw operating fuel record can be searched, a set of modified operating parameters can be searched, and a set of modified operating parameters can be searched, so a new raw solid fuel can be retrieved. The initial operational parameters for processing may use an average of modified operational parameters, a single operational parameter record, a statistical summary of modified operational files, or the like.

  As described above, after the solid fuel has been processed at the solid fuel processing facility 132, the processed solid fuel can be tested at the test facility 170 to determine the processing characteristics of the final processed solid fuel. In an embodiment, the final treated characteristics are moisture content, ash content, volatile content, fixed carbon content, BTU / lb, BTU / lb M-A free, sulfur form, hard glove grinding rate (HGI), total mercury. Ash melting temperature, ash mineral analysis, electromagnetic absorption / reflection, dielectric properties, and the like. In an embodiment, the final solid fuel characteristic can be stored in the coal power parameter 172. In an embodiment, the characteristic data can be used to provide feedback to the monitoring facility 134 for control of the solid fuel treatment process, can be associated with the desired characteristic 122 of the coal, and pricing / trading Data can be provided to the facility 178 or the like can be done.

  In an embodiment, at least one set of final processed solid fuel processing characteristic data may be stored in the coal output parameter 172 during the execution of the solid fuel processing. As described above, the processing characteristics of the final treated solid fuel may be communicated to the monitoring facility 134 as an additional data set for the monitoring facility 134 for consideration when adjusting the operating parameters of the solid fuel processing facility 132. it can. In an embodiment, the processing characteristics of the final treated solid fuel may be related to the desired characteristics 122 of the coal for determining operational parameters for a particular raw solid fuel.

  For example, the parameter generation facility 128 may be required to determine operational parameters for processing a particular raw solid fuel. The parameter generation facility 128 can retrieve the desired characteristics 122 of the coal against the final treated solid fuel resulting from the selected previous treatment. The parameter generation facility 128 can also retrieve final test characteristics from solid fuel that may have produced the final treated solid fuel. The parameter generation facility 128 can take all of this information into account when determining the raw solid fuel operating parameters.

In embodiments, the parameter generation facility 128 aggregates a set of solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples, aggregates a set of specifications for a solid fuel substrate used by a set of end use facilities, or a raw solid fuel The set of operating parameters used to convert the to the solid fuel used by the end-use facility can be aggregated or the like. In an embodiment, the aggregation of the database may result in the generation of operational parameters for a plurality of predetermined solid fuel treatment facilities 132. The predetermined plurality of operating parameters can be used for subsequent selection by the solid fuel processing facility 132 for processing the raw solid fuel for the end use facility. In embodiments, the database may be a database, relational database, SQL database, table, file, flat file, ASCII file, document, XML file, or the like. As described above and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end use facility may be a coal combustion facility 200, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, or the like.

In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may aggregate a set of raw solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples from the coal sample data 120. In an embodiment, the coal sample data 120 includes information on raw solid fuel that may be available to the solid fuel treatment facility 132, and information on past raw solid fuel used by the solid fuel treatment facility 132. Including or similar can be done. There may be more than one data record for each raw solid fuel in the coal sample data 120 due to the same raw solid fuel having multiple sample test results. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may be a set of raw solid fuel characteristics based on available raw solid fuel, a recently processed raw solid fuel, a set of raw solid fuel selected by the solid fuel processing facility 132, or the like Can be aggregated.

  In an embodiment, the raw solid fuel property summary database may include a plurality of duplicate records including information from the same raw solid fuel, wherein the plurality of duplicate records are for a plurality of samples taken from the same raw solid fuel. It may be a result. In an embodiment, the aggregation of the raw solid fuel property database may have several steps. The first step can include total aggregation of sample solid fuel data in the aggregated raw solid fuel database. In the second step, the parameter generation facility 128 uses an algorithm to screen records, handle duplicate records, store the completed raw solid fuel database in storage, and the like. can do. In embodiments, duplicate records can be deleted from the raw solid fuel database, duplicate records can be averaged, duplicate records can be selected statistically, or the like. In an embodiment, the completed raw solid fuel database may include all records of raw solid fuel that can be converted to end use facility solid fuel.

  In a similar manner, solid fuel information for end use equipment can be aggregated into a final processed solid fuel database. In an embodiment, the end-use facility solid fuel information may be stored in a coal desired characteristics 122 database. In an embodiment, the coal desired characteristics 122 database may include characteristic information about the final treated solid fuel required by the end use facility, historical characteristic information of the previous final processed solid fuel, and the like. it can. In an embodiment, the aggregated final processed solid fuel database may include multiple records that include information about the same final processed solid fuel, and multiple duplicate records may be the same final obtained during processing of the solid fuel. It may be the result of multiple samples taken from the treated solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, the aggregation of the final processed solid fuel database can have several steps. The first step may include a total aggregation of sample solid fuel data into the final processed solid fuel database. In the second step, the parameter generation facility 128 uses algorithms to sort the records, handle duplicate records, store the finished final processed solid fuel database in storage, and the like. Can be used. In embodiments, duplicate records can be deleted from the final processed solid fuel database, duplicate records can be averaged, duplicate records can be selected statistically, or the like can be done it can. In an embodiment, the completed final processed solid fuel database may include a record of all final processed solid fuels being processed by the solid fuel processing facility 132.

In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 aggregates the raw solid fuel database to obtain a set of operating parameters used to convert the raw solid fuel into a final treated solid fuel used by the end use facility. And an aggregated final processed database can be used.

  In an embodiment, the operational parameters can be determined by the parameter generation facility 128, which selects a raw solid fuel property record from the aggregated raw solid fuel database and renders it a final processed solid fuel. The operating parameters for each of the matched records are calculated in conformance with each of the aggregate databases. In an embodiment, once the operational parameters are determined for the matched record, the operational parameters can be stored in a database of aggregated operational parameters. For example, if there are 50 raw solid fuels in the aggregate database of raw solid fuels and 100 final processed solid fuels in the aggregate database of final solid fuels, each of the 50 raw solid fuels has a desired raw solid fuel. Each of the 100 final solid fuels can be adapted to determine the operating parameters required to convert to solid fuels. This results in a record of 5,000 aggregated operational parameters.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 can determine that an raw solid fuel cannot be converted to a final treated solid fuel, so that operational parameters for a particular fit of that solid fuel cannot be determined.

  In another embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 selects a raw solid fuel property record from the aggregated raw solid fuel database and determines a final processed solid fuel that can be converted by the solid fuel processing facility 132. be able to. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may determine operational parameters for each raw solid fuel property record in the aggregated raw solid fuel database. In an embodiment, the operational parameter may be determined by the operational capability of the solid fuel treatment facility 132. In an embodiment, the operational parameters for each of the raw solid fuel property records may be stored in a database of aggregated operational parameters.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 uses the ability of the solid fuel processing facility 132 to determine the operational characteristics from the raw solid fuel characteristics by adapting the raw solid fuel characteristics to the final processed characteristics. Or the operating parameters can be determined by the same. In embodiments, the operational parameter determination methods can be used individually or in combination.

  In an embodiment, the aggregated operational parameters may be stored for later selection for processing of the raw solid fuel into the end use facility solid fuel. In an embodiment, the aggregated operational parameter database may also store information on raw and final processed solid fuels used to create operational parameters. Thus, the aggregated operational parameter database may include operational parameters, raw solid fuel characteristics, final treated solid fuel characteristics, or the like. The raw solid fuel characteristics and the final treated solid fuel characteristics can include an identification for the solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, if the end use facility requests a final solid fuel from the solid fuel processing facility 132, the parameter generation facility 128 may send the requested final solid fuel characteristics to a final process whose characteristics are stored in an appropriate database. It can be adapted to one of the spent solid fuels. In an embodiment, the end-use equipment requirements for aggregated final treated solid fuel may be due to optimal fit, due to key characteristics, due to grading of the most important solid fuel characteristics, or the like It may be.

  In an embodiment, after finding a match for the demand solid fuel of the end use facility, the parameter generation facility 128 selects all possible raw solid fuels that can be used to create the end use facility solid fuel. That is, all possible operational parameters that can be used to make the end-use solid fuel can be selected, or the like. In an embodiment, using all possible raw solid fuels that can be used to create the end-use facility solid fuel, the parameter generation facility 128 retrieves the coal sample data 120 and if present. For example, it is possible to determine which of the possible raw solid fuels are available. In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 may select a raw solid fuel from the coal sample data 120 that is within certain tolerances of the required raw solid fuel. If at least one of the raw solid fuels is available to the solid fuel processing facility 132, the parameter generation facility 128 selects stored operating parameters that match the selected raw solid fuel and the end-use facility solid fuel. can do. The selected operating parameters can be communicated to the monitoring facility 134 and the controller 144 for processing of the selected raw solid fuel into the end use facility solid fuel.

  In an embodiment, a method of modeling costs associated with processing a solid fuel for a particular end use facility is a set of solid fuel characteristics for a plurality of solid fuel samples, a solid fuel substrate used by a set of end use facilities Includes a set of specifications, a set of operating parameters used to convert a solid fuel sample into a solid fuel substrate for use by the end user, a set of costs associated with the implementation of the set of operating parameters, and the like By providing a database to do. In an embodiment, cost modeling may include billing estimates for end-use facilities for solid fuel processing, internal cost estimates relative to actual processing costs, cost / price estimates, efficiency of solid fuel processing facilities 132, or the like Can be used to provide various expense reports. In embodiments, the database may be a database, relational database, SQL database, table, file, flat file, ASCII file, document, XML file, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the end use facility may be a coal combustion facility 200, a coal conversion facility 210, a coal by-product facility 212, or the like.

  The solid fuel processing facility 132 may utilize a method for modeling the price of the processed solid fuel for a particular end use facility. In an embodiment, the end use facility may require the solid fuel processing facility to process the raw solid fuel into a final solid fuel having specific characteristics. The end use facility may not indicate the starting raw solid fuel to use, and the solid fuel processing facility 132 may select an appropriate raw solid fuel based on the solid fuel characteristics of the end use facility.

  In an embodiment, the properties of the end use facility can be communicated and stored in the desired properties 122 of the coal. The pricing / trading facility may receive a notification that the characteristic has been communicated to the desired characteristic 122 of the coal.

  In an embodiment, upon notification that solid fuel characteristics have been received, pricing / trading facility 178 requires parameter generation facility 128 to identify the raw solid fuel to be converted to end-use facility solid fuel. be able to. As described above, the parameter generation facility 128 can be considered from a predetermined database, knowing the required characteristics and capabilities of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, searching the solid fuel treatment history to determine the starting raw solid fuel. A suitable raw solid fuel can be determined by querying a database of raw solid fuel and operating parameters, or the like.

In an embodiment, when the parameter generation facility 128 selects an available raw solid fuel suitable for conversion to a solid fuel for an end use facility, the parameter generation facility 128 may provide coal sample data for the characteristics of the available raw solid fuel. 120 queries can be performed.

  In an embodiment, the parameter generation facility 128 provides the pricing / trading facility 178 with identification and characterization information for the raw solid fuel, identification and characterization information for the solid fuel of the end use facility, and converting the raw solid fuel into a solid fuel of the end use facility. Operation parameters for conversion, and the like can be communicated. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may have a database that associates operating costs with operating parameters for a particular set of solid fuels. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may be able to model the operation of the solid fuel treatment facility 132, using the operational parameters from the parameter generation facility 128 to the end-use solid fuel. Provides virtual processing of raw solid fuel. Using the operating parameters, the pricing / trading facility 178 determines the amount of solid fuel processed per period, the amount of energy used, the amount of inert gas used, the amount of solid fuel product released. It may be possible to determine the amount, and the like. For example, the model may be able to determine the tonnage per hour of solid fuel produced by using given operating parameters for belt speed or batch equipment size. In another example, the model may be able to calculate the amount of electricity that the microwave system 148 requires based on operational parameter settings.

  In an embodiment, using the operating parameters, the pricing / trading facility 178 model can be used to determine the price of the finished conversion of the raw solid fuel to the end-use facility solid fuel at any time during the solid fuel conversion. Instantaneous prices, incremental prices added by any of the various solid fuel treatment facility 132 components, or the like can be determined.

  In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may model solid fuel processing facility 132 with a user interface on a computing device. In an embodiment, the user interface presents a tool so that the user can run the model, stop the model, pause the model, resume the model, reverse the model, run the model more slowly, Can be performed faster, concentrate on a particular component, or the like. In an embodiment, concentration on a particular component can provide the user with additional information, for example, a drill down of information for a particular component. In an embodiment, the information resulting from modeling can be presented in a graphic or any other output format required by the user.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may include a price for a complete conversion of the raw solid fuel to a solid fuel at the end use facility, an instantaneous price at any point during the solid fuel conversion, various solid fuel processing facilities. It may be possible to report information from the model for incremental prices added by any of the 132 components, or the like. In an embodiment, the report may be a printed report, a browsing report, a document report, a database, a summary table, a file, or the like. The report can show summary, hourly details, component details, or the like.

  In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may have at least one database that includes cost assumptions associated with solid fuel processing models. For example, the database may include electricity bills for microwave system 148, cost per leg of inert gas, personnel costs for monitoring solid fuel treatment facility 132, released solid fuel product recovered by removal system 150. Cost / price, raw solid fuel cost / price used, and the like. These costs can represent assumptions used in modeling. In an embodiment, the pricing / trading facility 178 may apply a price assumption to a model for determining the solid fuel cost / price of the end-use facility that has been processed.

  In an embodiment, pricing / trading facility 178 may use a model of solid fuel processing facility 132 to provide the end-use facility with an estimate of the price of the requested processed solid fuel. The estimate can be based on a model that uses operational parameters, costs and prices for operational parameters, and the like. In an embodiment, the estimated price may be for a specific end-use facility demand solid fuel using a specific raw solid fuel.

  While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense permitted by law.

  All documents referred to in this application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the overall system configuration of a solid fuel processing facility. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a solid fuel processing facility relationship with a treated solid fuel end user. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a conveyor belt with a multilayer structure. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a conveyor belt without a cover layer. FIG. 5 shows a conveyor belt incorporating an intermediate layer of refractory material inserted. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a conveyor belt that incorporates a multilayer structure that can include a refractory material. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a magnetron that can be used as part of a microwave system in a solid fuel treatment facility. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a high voltage supply facility for the magnetron. FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a high voltage input transmission facility without a transformer. FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a high voltage input transmission facility with a transformer. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a high voltage input transmission facility without a transformer with an inductor. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a direct DC high voltage input transmission facility with a transformer. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a high voltage input transmission facility with transformer isolation.

Claims (42)

A method for purifying solid fuel, comprising:
Providing starting solid fuel sample data relating to one or more characteristics of the solid fuel to be processed by the solid fuel processing facility;
Providing desired solid fuel properties;
Comparing the starting solid fuel sample data for one or more characteristics with the desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a solid fuel composition difference;
Determining operating process parameters for operation of the solid fuel processing facility to clean the solid fuel based at least in part on the solid fuel composition difference;
Monitoring pollutants released from the solid fuel during processing of the solid fuel and adjustment of the operational processing parameters thereto for producing a purified solid fuel.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel processing facility is a microwave solid fuel processing facility.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel is coal.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel sample data is a database.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel property is moisture content.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel property is ash content.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a sulfur fraction.   The method of claim 1, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a characteristic of a solid fuel.   The method of claim 1, wherein the operational processing parameter is microwave power.   The method of claim 1, wherein the operational processing parameter is a microwave frequency.   The method of claim 1, wherein the operational processing parameter is a frequency of microwave application.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises water.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises hydrogen.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises a hydroxyl group.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises sulfur gas.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises liquid sulfur.   The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant comprises ash.   The method of claim 1, wherein the released contaminant is monitored by a solid fuel facility sensor.   The method of claim 18, wherein the sensor provides feedback information for adjustment of the operational processing parameters.   2. The facility-owned transmission line further comprising providing high voltage power directly from a facility-owned transmission line to a microwave oscillator in the processing facility, wherein the facility-owned transmission line is configured to transmit 15 kv or more. The method described.   Providing a multilayer conveyor belt for transporting the solid fuel through the processing facility, the multilayer conveyor belt being configured to pass a majority of microwave energy through the belt; The method of claim 1, comprising a top layer that is resistant to abrasion and a second layer that is resistant to high temperatures. An input facility configured to receive starting solid fuel sample data regarding one or more characteristics of the solid fuel to be processed by the solid fuel processing facility, and desired solid fuel characteristics;
A comparison facility configured to compare the starting solid fuel sample data for the one or more characteristics with the desired solid fuel characteristics to determine a solid fuel composition difference, at least in part. A solid fuel processing facility further configured to clean the solid fuel based on a solid fuel composition difference, comprising:
At least one sensor configured to monitor contaminants released from the solid fuel during processing of the solid fuel;
A solid fuel treatment facility, comprising: a treatment conditioning facility configured to create a clean solid fuel by adjusting an operational treatment parameter according to feedback obtained from the at least one sensor with respect to the compositional difference.   23. The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel processing facility is a microwave solid fuel processing facility.   The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel is coal.   23. The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel sample data is a database.   The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is moisture content.   23. The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is ash content.   The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a sulfur fraction.   23. The system of claim 22, wherein the solid fuel characteristic is a solid fuel type.   The system of claim 22, wherein the operational processing parameter is microwave power.   24. The system of claim 22, wherein the operational processing parameter is a microwave frequency.   The system of claim 22, wherein the operational processing parameter is a frequency of microwave application.   24. The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises water.   24. The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises hydrogen.   24. The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises a hydroxyl group.   The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises sulfur gas.   The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises liquid sulfur.   The system of claim 22, wherein the contaminant comprises ash.   24. The system of claim 22, wherein the released contaminant is monitored by the solid fuel facility sensor.   40. The system of claim 39, wherein the sensor provides feedback information for adjustment of the operational processing parameters.   23. The apparatus further comprises high voltage power for transmitting high voltage power directly from a facility owned transmission line to a microwave oscillator in the processing facility, wherein the facility owned transmission line is configured to transmit 15 kv or more. The system described in.   And further comprising a multi-layer conveyor belt carrying the solid fuel through the processing facility, wherein the multi-layer conveyor belt is configured to allow a majority of microwave energy to pass through the belt while being resistant to wear. 23. The system of claim 22, comprising a top layer and a second layer that is resistant to high temperatures.

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