Patent ID: 6338305
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: F23K

Abstract:
A method for blending high sulfur content coal and compliance coal to maximize the economics of generating power therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:1) wetting the high sulfur content coal with water, 2) grinding the high sulfur content coal to produce dense high-sulfur compounds and rock, and less dense ground coal and coal fines, 3) using a separator to separate out the dense rock and high-sulfur compounds from the less dense ground coal and coal fines and water, 4) eliminating any flowable water yielding moist ground coal, 5) determining the sulfur content of the moist ground coal and coal fines, 6) reducing the moisture content of the ground coal and coal fines, and 7) monitoring the moisture content of the ground coal and coal fines, wherein the amount of water introduced in the wetting step, 1, is electronically controlled, the volume of the dense rock and sulfur compounds separated out in step 3 is electronically controlled, the sulfur content determined in step 5 is monitored by the electronic controls, and the moisture content of the coal fines determined in step 7 is monitored by the electronic controls, to produce the most economic, legally acceptable, continuous supply of feedstock coal for a power plant.