Integrated fine coal cleaning and dewatering process
This technology cleans fine coal particles by mixing a water-based coal slurry with a hydrophobic (water-repelling) liquid, which causes coal to migrate into the hydrophobic phase while mineral impurities stay in the water phase. The coal particles in the hydrophobic phase also trap water droplets, which can then be mechanically removed, leaving behind dry, clean coal. The hydrophobic liquid is recovered and reused, making the process cyclical and cost-efficient. The result is a coal product with significantly less ash-forming mineral content and lower moisture than conventional washing methods produce.
What you could build
A continuous coal-processing system sold or licensed to coal preparation plant operators that replaces or supplements conventional froth flotation and mechanical dewatering equipment, delivering cleaner, drier fine coal with reduced processing waste. Target buyers are coal mining and preparation companies seeking to upgrade product quality or recover value from fine coal waste streams.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia has active coal mining and preparation operations in the southwestern coalfields (Buchanan, Tazewell, Wise counties), making regional coal producers and preparation plant operators the most direct potential licensees.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- —
- Granted
- February 18, 2020
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 102802
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.