Method for agglomerating fine particles

Abstract

A method for agglomerating fine particles, involves reacting urea, urea/formaldehyde condensate, a strong inorganic acid, preferably sulfuric acid, and at least one polyfunctional compound chosen from the group consisting of hydroxycarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and polyols (containing at least two hydroxy groups) in the presence of particles to be agglomerated to form a fine particle agglomerate. Optionally, molasses, p-toluene sulfonic acid, xylene sulfonic acid or resorcinol can be added to the binder solution.

What is claimed  
     
         1 . A method for agglomerating fine particles, comprising reacting at least one polyfunctional compound selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids, and polyols, with urea, urea/formaldehyde condensate, sulfuric acid and optionally molasses, xylene sulfonic acid, and p-toluene sulfonic acid in the presence of the particles to be agglomerated to form the agglomerated particles.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fine particles comprise a carbonaceous material.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the carbonaceous material is selected from the group consisting of anthracite, bituminous coal, coking coal, thermal coal, sub-bituminous coal, peat, wood, coke, petroleum coke and blends thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyfunctional compound, urea and sulfuric acid are mixed to form a first solution and the urea/formaldehyde condensate is prepared as a second solution and wherein the first and second solutions are combined in the presence of the material to be agglomerated.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the material to be agglomerated is a carbonaceous material.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the carbonaceous materials are selected from the group consisting of anthracite, bituminous coal, coking coal, thermal coal, sub-bituminous coal, peat, wood, coke, petroleum coke and blends thereof.