Methods and compositions for controlling bulk density of coking coal

Abstract

Compositions for adjusting coal bulk density and methods of using the compositions are provided. In an embodiment, the present invention provides methods of utilizing the compositions to adjust coal bulk density. The compositions can comprise one or more components selected from a group consisting of vegetable oils, animal fats, triglycerides, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, and glycerin. These compositions can be derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process or transesterification reactions involving triglycerides.

1 . A method of adjusting the bulk density of coking coal comprising applying to the coal an effective bulk density increasing amount of a treating composition comprising about 10 to about 99 weight percent of one or more components selected from a group consisting of vegetable oils, animal fats, triglycerides, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid ethyl esters, and glycerin.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein about 1 to about 20 pints of said treating composition per ton of coal is applied to the coal.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said treating composition comprises one or more fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid ethyl esters or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said treating composition comprises from about 30 to about 99 weight percent fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid ethyl esters or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said treating composition comprises about 40 to about 85 weight percent of fatty acid methyl esters, about 3 to about 50 weight percent fatty acids, about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent tocopherols, and about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent of sterols.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said fatty acid methyl esters and fatty acid ethyl esters are derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process or transesterification reaction.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said treating composition comprises from about 10 to about 99 weight percent glycerin.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said treating composition comprises about 95 to about 99 weight percent of glycerin, about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent methanol, and about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent water.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said glycerin is derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process or transesterification reaction.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said treating composition further comprises diesel fuel.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said treating composition comprises about 30 percent by weight to about 70 percent by weight diesel fuel.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said treating composition comprises about 30 to about 99.9 weight percent fatty acid methyl esters and about 0.1 to about 70 weight percent diesel fuel.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said composition further comprises one or more surfactants.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said treating composition contains about 5 percent by weight to about 30 percent by weight of surfactants.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said treating composition further comprises one or more C 1 -C 8  alcohols.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said treating composition comprises about 5 to about 30 weight percent surfactants, about 70 to about 95 weight percent fatty acid methyl esters and about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent diesel fuel.  
     
     
         17 . A treating composition for improving the bulk density and throughput properties of coking coal which comprises about 95 to about 99 weight percent of glycerin, about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent methanol, and about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent water.  
     
     
         18 . A treating composition for improving the bulk density and throughput properties of coking coal which comprises about 30 to about 99.9 weight percent fatty acid methyl esters and about 0.1 to about 70 weight percent diesel fuel.  
     
     
         19 . A treating composition for improving the bulk density and throughput properties of coking coal which comprises about 5 to about 30 weight percent surfactants, about 70 to about 95 weight percent fatty acid methyl esters and about 0.1 to about 25 weight percent diesel fuel.