Fine coal dewatering process that cuts ash and drying costs
This technology is a two-stage chemical process for cleaning and drying fine hydrophobic particles—think fine coal or similar mineral materials—out of water-based slurries. In the first stage, an oily liquid is mixed in under high agitation, causing the target particles to clump together into agglomerates while leaving behind water and unwanted mineral impurities. In the second stage, those clumps are transferred into a second oily liquid, which causes them to break apart and release the trapped water, yielding clean, dry particles. The result is a product that is both purified of contaminants and substantially dewatered, without the energy-intensive thermal drying typically required.
What you could build
A modular processing unit or licensed process add-on for coal preparation plants or mineral processing facilities that reduces moisture content and ash in fine coal streams, sold to coal producers or contract mineral processors seeking to improve product quality and reduce drying costs.
Who in Virginia should care
Coal mining and preparation companies operating in Southwest Virginia, or Virginia Tech-affiliated mineral processing researchers, would be the most natural partners or 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
- Roe-Hoan YOON
- Granted
- December 13, 2016
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 9518241
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.