Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles
The coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter having a particle size less than about 10 μm that are substantially free of inherent or entrained mineral matter. The particles of have an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 8 μm. The particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter are milled to a size approximately the same as a size of coal-derived mineral matter inherent in the coal source to release inherent coal-derived mineral matter particles such that the particles of carbonaceous matter and the particles of mineral matter are discrete and separable solid particles. Following separation, less than 1.5 wt. % discrete coal-derived mineral matter particles are associated with the discrete particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter. Particles of coal-derived solid hydrocarbon matter are blended with a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel feedstock.
1. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than 20 μm and an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 4 μm, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are combined with a liquid hydrocarbon and the combination is present in a filter cake.
2. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid hydrocarbon is selected from kerosene, diesel, fuel oil, and crude oil.
3. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 20 μm and an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 4 μm, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are blended with a hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel.
4. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 3 , wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is liquid.
5. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 3 , wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is gaseous.
6. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 20 μm and an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 4 μm, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are blended with water to form a two-phase liquid fuel.
7. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 1 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 10 μm.
8. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of ultrafine particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are blended with a hydrocarbon fuel to form a two-phase hydrocarbon fuel.
9. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 20 μm.
10. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 8 μm.
11. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 20 μm and have an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 8 μm.
12. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is liquid.
13. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is gaseous.
14. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of ultrafine particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are blended with water to form a two-phase liquid fuel.
15. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of ultrafine particles of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are suspended with air to form a two-phase gaseous fuel.
16. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles consisting of coal-derived carbonaceous matter free of entrained mineral matter, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 20 μm and an average particle size in the range from 1 μm to 4 μm, wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles are suspended with air to form a two-phase gaseous fuel.
17. Coal derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 5 , wherein the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is selected from natural gas, methane, propane, and butane.
18. Coal derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 13 , wherein the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is selected from natural gas, methane, propane, and butane.
19. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 3 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 10 μm.
20. Coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles according to claim 8 , wherein the coal-derived solid hydrocarbon particles have a particle size less than about 10 μm.