Coal paste for use as fuel and methods of using same

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of coal to form a paste that can be used as a fuel or incorporated with other fillers to form pellets or briquettes. The paste is formed from crushed or powdered coal mixed in a liquid fuel and may be used as is or may be mixed with a carrier fuel prior to combustion or it could be mixed with other biomass fillers to produce a solid fuel.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paste comprising:
 coal;   a surfactant;   a combustible carrier fluid; and   a binder.   
     
     
         2 . The paste of  claim 1  wherein the coal is a powder. 
     
     
         3 . The paste of  claim 1  wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of Triton X-100, Triton X-114, ammonium C12-15 pareth sulfate, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate), Cholic acid, Tergitol-type NP-40, liquid Gantrez, soaps, Magnesium Isododecyl-Benzene-Sulfonate, Lauramido-Propylamine Oxide, Sodium Xylene Sulfonate or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         4 . The paste of  claim 1  wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of fats, grease, vegetable shortening, sewage sludge, corn starch, wall paper adhesive, used/reclaimed motor lubricant, animal renderings, vegetable oils, eucalyptus oil, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         5 . The paste of  claim 1  including a bio-mass wherein the paste is dispersed evenly and is in communication with all the surfaces of the biomass to prevent hydration of the biomass from atmospheric water. 
     
     
         6 . The paste of  claim 5  wherein the bio-mass is selected from the group consisting of paper, wood, plastic, corn stocks, grass, unusable short fiber pulp from paper manufacturing process, solid waste, waste paper, waste card board and silage. 
     
     
         7 . The paste of  claim 5  wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of fats, grease, vegetable shortening, sewage sludge, corn starch, wall paper adhesive, motor lubricant, animal renderings, vegetable oils, eucalyptus oil, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         8 . The paste of  claim 1  including a mixture containing a bio-mass, a second binder and a waste carbon material wherein the paste is dispersed evenly and in communication with all the surfaces of the biomass to prevent hydration of the biomass from atmospheric water. 
     
     
         9 . The paste of  claim 8  wherein the bio-mass is selected from the group consisting of paper, wood, corn stocks, grass, short fiber pulp, solid waste, waste paper, waste card board and silage. 
     
     
         10 . The paste of  claim 1  wherein the binder is corn starch. 
     
     
         11 . The paste of  claim 8  wherein the waste carbon is selected from one or more of Bio-Solids from waste water treatment plants, sludge from paper manufacturing, sludge from brewing, wine making or distilling operations, manures and other agricultural waste. 
     
     
         12 . The paste of  claim 1  wherein the surfactant is ammonium C12-15 pareth sulfate. 
     
     
         13 . A method for using a coal paste comprising:
 providing a paste including a coal product, a surfactant, a combustible carrier fluid and a binder;   transferring the paste through a conduit wherein the transfer is initiated by a pump;   allowing the paste to enter a combustion chamber for conversion to heat energy.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the surfactant is selected from a group consisting of Triton X-100, Triton X-114, ammonium C12-15 pareth sulfate, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate), Cholic acid, Tergitol-type NP-40, liquid Gantrez, soaps, Magnesium Isododecyl-Benzene-Sulfonate, Lauramido-Propylamine Oxide, Sodium Xylene Sulfonate or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the binder is selected from a group consisting of fats, grease, vegetable shortening, sewage sludge, corn starch, wall paper adhesive, motor lubricant, animal renderings, vegetable oils, eucalyptus oil, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  including a bio-mass wherein the paste is dispersed evenly and is in communication with all the surfaces of the biomass to prevent hydration of the biomass from atmospheric water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the bio-mass is selected from the group consisting of paper, wood, plastic, corn stocks, grass, unusable short fiber pulp from paper manufacturing process, solid waste from waste water plants, waste paper, waste card board and silage. 
     
     
         18 . A pellet for use as a combustible fuel, the pellet including a coal powder, a surfactant, a combustible carrier fluid and a binder. 
     
     
         19 . The pellet of  claim 18  wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of fats, grease, vegetable shortening, sewage sludge, corn starch, wall paper adhesive, motor lubricant, animal renderings, vegetable oils, eucalyptus oil, or any combination of the foregoing. 
     
     
         20 . The pellet of  claim 18  including a bio-mass selected from the group consisting of paper, wood, plastic, corn stocks, grass, short fiber pulp from paper manufacturing process, solid waste, waste paper, waste card board and silage.