Treatment of coal

Abstract

Process for treating coal to enhance its rank, wherein the temperature of the material is gradually increased in a controlled set of atmospheres, to allow for the reduction of surface and inherent moisture and the controlled reduction of volatile matter while maintaining the coal's natural structural integrity. The process reduces the time, capitalization, and production costs required to produce coal of enhanced rank, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness and production rate over prior processes.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . Treated biomass produced from a feedstock biomass having an initial volatile matter content and an initial moisture content, said treated biomass having a volatile matter content reduced by between 5 and 95% relative to said initial volatile matter content. 
     
     
         31 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , having a volatile matter content reduced by between 5 and 30% relative to said initial volatile matter content. 
     
     
         32 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , having a moisture content of less than 2% by weight. 
     
     
         33 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , wherein said feedstock biomass has a BTU content of 7500 BTU/lb or less and said treated biomass has a BTU content of 12,500 BTU/lb or more. 
     
     
         34 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , having a surface moisture content reduced to about 2-4% by weight relative to an initial surface moisture content of said feedstock biomass. 
     
     
         35 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , having a surface moisture content reduced to about 1-2% by weight relative to an initial a surface moisture content of said feedstock biomass. 
     
     
         36 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , wherein said feedstock biomass is coal. 
     
     
         37 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , wherein said feedstock biomass is peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal or anthracite coal. 
     
     
         38 . The treated biomass of  claim 30 , wherein said feedstock biomass is coal, said treated biomass is treated coal, and the moisture content of the coal is reduced to about 2% by weight of the treated coal. 
     
     
         39 . The treated biomass of  claim 36 , further comprising a water-proof binder/igniter/coating. 
     
     
         40 . The treated biomass of  claim 36 , in the form of briquettes. 
     
     
         41 . Briquettes of treated coal made from a feedstock coal having an initial volatile matter content and an initial moisture content, said treated briquettes having a volatile matter content reduced by between 5 and 95% relative to said initial volatile matter content. 
     
     
         42 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein said feedstock coal has a BTU content of 7500 BTU/lb or less and said briquettes have a BTU content of 12,500 BTU/lb or more. 
     
     
         43 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein said feedstock coal is peat, lignite, sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal or anthracite coal. 
     
     
         44 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein the moisture content of the feedstock coal is reduced to about 2% by weight of the treated coal. 
     
     
         45 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein said treated coal has an average particle size between ¼″ and 2 inches. 
     
     
         46 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein said treated coal has an average particle size between 1 and 2 inches. 
     
     
         47 . The briquettes of  claim 41 , wherein said treated coal is mixed with a coating.