Combustible briquette

Abstract

The present invention provides a composition and method for making combustible briquettes from industrial waste, particularly from industrial fines, which are useful in the manufacture of steel. The fines are mixed with a binder comprising an aqueous solution of sodium silicate, formed into briquettes and dried prior to use.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for forming a combustible briquette comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining industrial waste fines;    adding the fines to a binder comprising an aqueous solution of sodium silicate;    mixing the fines and the sodium silicate mixture throughly;    forming the mixture in a mold; and    subjecting the mixture to a pressure to form a briquette.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is from about 180 psi to about 220 psi.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is about 200 psi.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mixture comprises 10% sodium silicate by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fines are chosen from a group consisting of iron, silicon, coal, aluminum, ceramics, lead, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, bronze, brass, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fines comprise ferro-silicon.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the ferro-silicon fines are in a ratio of iron to silicon of 1:4.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fines comprise iron.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous solution is at a pH of about 6.0 to about 8.0.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous solution is at a pH of about 7.0.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  having said fines ranging in size from about 1 inch to about 400 mesh.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said briquette is dried using heat in the range of about 350° F. to about 600° F.