US1808340A - Fuel briquette - Google Patents

Description

I0 Drawing.

Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE mwauna, wrsoonsm, assrenon r0 UNI-ran coax. AND nocx courm, or mwauxna, wrsconsm rum. nnmuarra v This invention pertains to improvements in fuel briquettes, and has primarily for its A further object is to provide a briquette consisting of finely pulverized or powdered semi-bituminous or anthracite coal, held together by a binder of asphalt base oil, and

' lightly coated with a mineral oil, such as an asphalt or paraflin base oil having an aflinity for the binder material.

With the above and other objects in view, which-will appear as the description proceeds,the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of elements substantially as hereinafter described. and more particularly defined by the appended claims, 1t being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

t the present time, there are several conventional fuel briquettes on the market made by various processes, but in neral utilizing semi-bitumlnous or anthraclte coal, molded under excessive pressure to the desired size and shape and held by various binders.

As a rule, thebinder employed, is of a waterproof material, and inasmuch as the briquettes are thoroughly dried to a very hard consistency, the handling and deliverin of the same to consumers results in dislodging small particles from the surfaces of the briquettes, causing objectionable dust. As in handling various kinds of coal, it has been customary to sprinkle or spray the briquettes with water during the handling, to avoid rising dust. However, this has its Application fled October as, 1929. Serial in. 402,800.

objections in that the water quickly dries,

and in cold'climatic conditions, the same cannot be used because of freezing.

As set forth in the objects, the present invention aims to overcome the foregoing objections by the provision of a briquette coated with a finely atomized spray of oil, which has'an affinity for the binder and is, therefore, readily absorbed by the surface of the briquette, to hold the fine particles that might otherwise become dislodged in handling.

One manner in which the present invention may be produced, is as follows: 1

Either semi-bituminous or anthracite coal, or a mixture of both, may be utilized, and the raw-coal, which is of irregular size, is first put through a cylindrical drier to eliminate all moisture. From the drier, the coal is delivered to a crusher where the same is finely pulverized or powdered to produce a uniform grade. After crushing, the coal goes into a preliminary mixer into which the binder material is introduced and thoroughly mixed with the coal.

While various kinds of binding material may be employed, it has been found that a binder of asphalt base oil is the most effective, due to its waterproof characteristics, and the fact that after the mixture is molded under high pressure and dried, the finished briquette is of extremely hard consistency, which will resist excessive pressure and, therefore, is not readily broken. To insure thorough mixing of the binder and coal, the former is introduced. and maintained at a temperature.

of approximately 210 Fahr. during the mixing operation.

After the mass passes through the preliminary mixer, it is fed-to what is termed a fluxer,; which commprises a vertical mixer that completes mixing of the binder and coal. From tions to mold the mass into briquettes of desired and shape.

- tremely li%nt coating of oil, which e In the molding operation, the briquette is subjected to a pressure of approximately 4000 pounds to the inch, which insures a compact, hard mass in the finished product. After 5 leaving the press, the warm briquettes are deposited upon a coolin belt, which eventually delivers them into suitable hoppers.

Ihe foregoing explanation describes a conventional method of forming fuel briquettes 'and, therefore, constitutes no specific part of the present invention, other than in the combination as hereinafter claimed.

Heretofore, briquettes constructed by the foregoing process have merely been treated or sprayed with water to cause fine loose parti cles to adhere thereto and prevent dust. It will, however, be appreciated that briquettes so constructed are exceedingly hard and compact. Thus, it is practically impossible for the briquette to absorb any amount of moisture. This is further true, due to the fact that the binder employed, is of a waterproof nature. Therefore, sprayin the briquette with water merely forms a lig t coatin over the same, which quickly dries in ban the problem of dust is again presented.

The present invention is accomplished by atomizing or spraying the briquette with a mineral oil, which has a great afiinity for the binder utilized in forming the briquette. Consequently, as the oily vapor or spray comes in contact with the surface of the briling and consin.

ROGH P. BOTSOH.

quette, it is readily absorbed by the binder and results in the briquette requiring an exectively holds the e particles of coal to the surface of the briquette.

Here, it will be appreciated that-due to the hardness of the briquette, and the extremely fine spray utilized, a minimum quantity of oil is required to produce the desired coating, thus reducing the cost to a minimum. It will also be appreciated that the oil coating so applied will not readily evaporate and, therefore, in'the ordinary handling of briquettes, the coating will serve to prevent dust, until they are consumed.

While use of as halt base binder and a mineral oil coating has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that other materials might be employed, the essential feature of the invention residing in the factthat the oil spray providing the coating for the briquette has an affinity for the binder utilized.

It will also be understood that while one process of making the briquette has been described in considerable detail, the present invention is applicable to briquettes formed by 9 other processes, providing that the materials utilized function in a manner to produce the results described.

I claim: 7 1. A fuel briquette consisting of pulverized 5 coal molded to size and held by a waterproof