Fine coal cleaning and dewatering module for preparation
This technology cleans fine coal particles (under 1mm) by mixing them with a hydrophobic liquid that preferentially bonds with coal but repels water and mineral dirt. When the mixture settles, coal migrates into the hydrophobic liquid layer while mineral impurities stay in the water layer below. The coal-rich upper layer is then mechanically processed to squeeze out trapped water droplets, and the hydrophobic liquid is recovered and recycled. The result is a cleaner, drier coal product produced in a closed-loop system that reuses its key processing fluid.
What you could build
A modular coal-preparation plant module or retrofit unit for coal mines and coal-processing facilities that replaces or supplements conventional froth flotation systems; buyers would be coal producers, coal preparation plant operators, and potentially coal export terminals needing to improve product quality and reduce moisture penalties.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia has active metallurgical and thermal coal mining operations in the southwest part of the state; coal preparation plant operators there are a direct fit.
Readiness: Prototype likely
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
- Roe-Hoan Yoon, Mert Kerem Eraydin
- Granted
- May 17, 2022
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11331676
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.