Abstract:
Modified coal production equipment comprising: first oxygen adsorption speed measuring means ( 141 - 144, 149   a,    149   b ), etc., that sort dried coal ( 3 ) dried in a drying device ( 112 ), and find the oxygen adsorption speed (Vd) of the dried coal ( 3 ); second oxygen adsorption speed measuring means ( 145 - 148, 149   a,    149   b ) that sort modified coal ( 7 ) deactivated by an deactivation treatment device ( 130 ), and find the oxygen adsorption speed (Vr) of the modified coal ( 7 ); and an arithmetic control device ( 150 ) that calculates the oxygen adsorption speed ratio (N) from formula (Vr−Vd)/Vd=N, on the basis of Vd and Vr, and, if N&gt;Ns (a standard value), reads from a map the increased oxygen concentration value (Oa) in a processing gas ( 106 ) corresponding to N, calculates a revised oxygen concentration value (Oc) on the basis of the current oxygen concentration value (Op) and Oa, and controls blowers ( 133, 135 ) so as to reach Oc.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to upgraded coal production equipment and is particularly useful when applied to a case of upgrading low-rank coal such as brown coal and subbituminous coal which is porous and which contains a large amount of moisture. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    There are abundant reserves of low-rank coal which is coal containing a large amount of moisture such as brown coal and subbituminous coal. Meanwhile, the calorific value of the low-rank coal per unit weight is small. In view of this, the low-rank coal is heated to be subjected to drying processing and pyrolysis processing and is thereby improved in calorific value per unit weight. 
         [0003]    In this connection, the heated low-rank coal tends to adsorb water. In addition, carboxylic groups and the like on a surface of the low-rank coal are removed, thereby forming radical and the like on the surface. This increases activity on the surface of the low-rank coal and accordingly makes the low-rank coal easily react with oxygen in the air. The low-rank coal may thus spontaneously combust due to reaction heat generated by the reaction. 
         [0004]    To counter this problem, in, for example, Patent Literature 1 listed below or the like, pyrolysis coal obtained by subjecting the low-rank coal to drying, and pyrolysis is subjected to deactivation processing in which, by heating the pyrolysis (at about 150° C. to 170° C.) in a low-oxygen atmosphere (oxygen concentration around 10%), a surface of the pyrolysis coal is partially oxidized to reduce activity on the surface of the pyrolysis coal. As a result, upgraded coal whose spontaneous combustion is suppressed is produced. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 11-310785 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    The composition of the raw-material coal varies depending on a mine from which the coal is extracted. For this reason, for producing upgraded coal as described above, various processing conditions such as an oxygen concentration in an atmosphere of the deactivation processing, an atmosphere temperature, and a processing time are set such that the raw-material coal of even any composition can be deactivated sufficiently. Accordingly, even raw-material coal which can be sufficiently deactivated under relatively loose conditions is deactivated under relatively strict conditions, and there is a waste in processing cost. 
         [0007]    In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide upgraded coal production equipment capable of producing upgraded coal in a simple way by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions under necessary and sufficient conditions. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0008]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a first aspect of the invention for solving the problem described above is upgraded coal production equipment including: 
         [0009]    drying means for producing dry coal by removing moisture from raw-material coal; 
         [0010]    pyrolysis means for producing pyrolysis coal by performing pyrolysis on the dry coal; and 
         [0011]    deactivation processing means for producing upgraded coal by deactivating the pyrolysis coal by heating with processing gas containing oxygen, characterized in that the upgraded coal production equipment comprises: 
         [0012]    first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the dry coal dried by the drying means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal; 
         [0013]    second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means for collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means and obtaining an oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal; and 
         [0014]    main arithmetic control means for: calculating an oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within a range of a standard value Ns, controlling the deactivation processing means such that a deactivation processing condition is maintained; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, an additional oxygen concentration value Oa to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating a corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the additional oxygen concentration value Oa and a present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc; if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is below the range of the standard value Ns, reading, from a map, a decrease oxygen concentration value Od to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculating the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas on the basis of the decrease oxygen concentration value Od and the present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas, and controlling the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc, 
         [0015]    where the oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula is 
         [0000]        N =|( Vr−Vd )|/ Vd.    
         [0016]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a second aspect of the invention is the first aspect of the invention characterized in that when the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc exceeds an upper limit value Ou, the main arithmetic control means reads, from a map, an additional temperature value Ta to be applied to the processing gas correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N, calculates a corrected temperature value Tc on the basis of the additional temperature value Ta and a present temperature value Tp in the processing gas, and controls the deactivation processing means such that the processing gas is set to the corrected temperature value Tc. 
         [0017]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a third aspect of the invention is the first or second aspect of the invention characterized in that the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means obtains a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  of the upgraded coal by collecting part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and then, every time a specific time Ts elapses, collecting again part of the upgraded coal newly deactivated in the deactivation processing means, and the main arithmetic control means: calculates a stability S from the following stability calculation formula on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  newly obtained and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr n-1  obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n : if the stability S is within a range of a standard value Ss, recalculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr n ; and compares the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N with the standard value Ns again, 
         [0018]    where the stability calculation formula is 
         [0000]        S =∥( Vr   n   −Vr   n-1 )|/ Vr   n , and
 
         [0019]    the oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula is 
         [0000]        N =|( Vr   n   −Vd )|/ Vd.    
         [0020]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a fourth aspect of the invention is any one of the first to third aspects of the invention characterized in that the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:
       first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal dried by the drying means as a sample;   first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by exposing the sample collected by the first sampling means to oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Td;   first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample, collected by the first sampling means, before the oxygen adsorption test and a weight Wd2 of the sample after the oxygen adsorption test; and first sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weights Wd1, Wd2 measured by the first weighing means, and       
 
         [0024]    the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:
       second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a sample;   second testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by exposing the sample collected by the second sampling means to oxygen containing gas at a test temperature for a test time Tr;   second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample, collected by the second sampling means, before the oxygen adsorption test and a weight Wr2 of the sample after the oxygen adsorption test; and   second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weights Wr1, Wr2 measured by the second weighing means,       
 
         [0029]    where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is 
         [0000]        Vd =( Wd 2− Wd 1)/( Wd 1× Td )×100, and
 
         [0030]    the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is 
         [0000]        Vr =( Wr 2− Wr 1)/( Wr 1× Tr )×100.
 
         [0031]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a fifth aspect of the invention is anyone of the first to third aspects of the invention characterized in that the first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:
       first sampling means for collecting the part of the dry coal dried by the drying means as a sample;   first weighing means for measuring a weight Wd1 of the sample collected by the first sampling means;   first testing means for performing an oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample collected by the first sampling means in an air tight manner for a test time Td in an inside of the first testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature;   first pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside the first testing means; and   first sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weight Wd1 measured by the first weighing means as well as an internal pressure Pd1 of the first testing means before the oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pd2 of the first testing means just after the oxygen adsorption test which are measured by the first pressure measuring means with the inside of the first testing means held in the air tight manner while being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at the constant temperature,       
 
         [0037]    the second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means includes:
       second sampling means for collecting the part of the upgraded coal deactivated in the deactivation processing means as a sample;   second weighing means for measuring a weight Wr1 of the sample collected by the second sampling means;   second testing means for performing the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample collected by the second sampling means in an air tight manner for a test time Tr in an inside of the second testing means filled with an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature;   second pressure measuring means for measuring a pressure inside the second testing means; and   second sub-arithmetic control means for calculating the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula on the basis of the weight Wr1 measured by the second weighing means as well as an internal pressure Pr1 of the second testing means before the oxygen adsorption test and an internal pressure Pr2 of the second testing means just after the oxygen adsorption test which are measured by the second pressure measuring means with the inside the second testing means held in the air tight manner while being filled with the oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at the constant temperature,       
 
         [0043]    where the dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is 
         [0000]        Vd=Qd /( Wd 1× Td )×100, and
 
         [0044]    the upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula is 
         [0000]        Vr=Qr /( Wr 1× Tr )×100,
 
         [0045]    where Qd represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the dry coal and Qr represents an oxygen adsorption quantity of the upgraded coal, Qd and Qr being values obtained from formulae shown below, 
         [0000]        Qd =[{( Pd 1− Pd 2)/1013}×{ Cd −( Wd 1/ D )}]/(22.4× Wd 1),
 
         [0000]        Qr =[{( Pr 1 −Pr 2)/1013 }×{Cr −( Wr 1 /D )}]/(22.4 ×Wr 1),
 
         [0046]    where Cd represents an internal capacity of the first testing means, Cr represents an internal capacity of the second testing means, and D represents a true density of the raw-material coal. 
         [0047]    Upgraded coal production equipment of a sixth aspect of the invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention characterized in that the raw-material coal is brown coal or subbituminous coal. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0048]    The upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention can produce upgraded coal in a simple way by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions under necessary and sufficient conditions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 2  is a control flowchart of a main portion of the upgraded coal production equipment in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 3  is a control flowchart subsequent to  FIG. 2 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 4  is a control flowchart subsequent to  FIG. 3 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 5  is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 6  is a control flowchart of a main portion of the upgraded coal production equipment in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 7  is a control flowchart subsequent to  FIG. 6 . 
           [0056]      FIG. 8  is a control flowchart subsequent to  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0057]    Embodiments of upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention are described based on the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below based on the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0058]    A first embodiment of the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention is described based on  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a delivery port of a mill-type pulverizer  111  configured to pulverize low-rank coal  1  which is raw-material coal such as subbituminous coal and brown coal is connected to a port of a drying device  112  for receiving the low-rank coal  1 , via a rotary valve  121 , the drying device  112  being a steam tube dryer system and configured to cause moisture  2  in the low-rank coal  1  to evaporate. Water vapor  101  which is a heat medium is supplied into a coil-shaped heating tube arranged in a center portion of the drying device  112 , and the drying device  112  thereby heats (about 100° C.) the low-rank coal  1  and removes the moisture  2  from low-rank coal  1 . The drying device  112  can thus produce dry coal  3 . 
         [0060]    A port of the drying device  112  for discharging the dry coal  3  is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor  113  in a conveyance direction via a rotary valve  122 . A downstream side of the conveyor  113  in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a pyrolysis device  114  for receiving the dry coal  3 , via a rotary valve  123 , the pyrolysis device  114  being a rotary kiln system and configured to perform pyrolysis on the dry coal  3 . Combustion gas  102  which is a heating medium is supplied to a fixedly-supported outer jacket of the pyrolysis device  114 , and the pyrolysis device  114  thereby performs heating pyrolysis (400° C. to 600° C.) on the dry coal  3  and removes volatile component  4  from the dry coal  3 . The pyrolysis device  114  can thus produce pyrolysis coal  6 . 
         [0061]    A port of the pyrolysis device  114  for discharging the pyrolysis coal  6  is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor  115  in the conveyance direction via a rotary valve  124 . A downstream side of the conveyor  115  in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a cooling device  116  for receiving the pyrolysis coal  6 , via a rotary valve  125 , the cooling device  116  being a steam tube dryer system and configured to cool the pyrolysis coal  6 . Cooling water  103  which is a cooling medium is supplied into a coil-shaped cooling pipe arranged in a center portion of the cooling device  116  and the cooling device  116  can thereby cool (100° C. or lower) the pyrolysis coal  6 . 
         [0062]    A port of the cooling device  116  for discharging the pyrolysis coal  6  is connected to a port of a device main body  131  of a deactivation processing device  130  for receiving pyrolysis coal  6 , via a rotary valve  126 , the deactivation processing device  130  being a deactivation processing device of a continuous processing type such as a circular grate type or a sintering machine type (mesh conveyor type) and configured to deactivate the pyrolysis coal  6 . A nitrogen gas supply source  132  is connected to a lower portion of the device main body  131  via a blower  133  and a heater  134 . A blower  135  configured to supply air  104  is connected to a portion between the blower  133  and the heater  134 . 
         [0063]    Specifically, activating the blowers  133 ,  135  causes the outside air  104  and nitrogen gas  105  which is inert gas from the nitrogen gas supply source  132  to mix with each other and produces processing gas  106  containing oxygen. Moreover, activating the heater  134  can heat the processing gas  106 . The pyrolysis coal  6  in the device main body  131  is thus heated by the processing gas  106  and subjected to deactivation processing, and upgraded coal  7  can be thereby produced. Here, an oxygen gas concentration in the processing gas  106  can be adjusted by adjusting supply amounts of the nitrogen gas  105  and the air  104  from the blowers  133 ,  135 , and the temperature of the processing gas  106  can be adjusted by adjusting the heater  134 . 
         [0064]    A port of the device main body  131  for discharging the upgraded coal  7  is connected to an upstream side of a conveyor  117  in the conveyance direction via a rotary valve  127 . A downstream side of the conveyor  117  in the conveyance direction is connected to a port of a storage tank  118  for receiving the upgraded coal  7 , via a rotary valve  128 , the storage tank  118  configured to store the upgraded coal  7 . 
         [0065]    In such an embodiment, the pulverizer  111 , the drying device  112 , the conveyor  113 , the rotary valves  121 ,  122 , and the like form drying means; the pyrolysis device  114 , the conveyor  115 , the cooling device  116 , the rotary valves  123  to  125 , and the like form pyrolysis means; the deactivation processing device  130  including the device main body  131 , the nitrogen gas supply source  132 , the blowers  133 ,  135 , the heater  134 , and the like as well as the conveyor  117 , the rotary valves  126 ,  127 , and the like form deactivation processing means; and the storage tank  118 , the rotary valve  128 , and the like form storage means. 
         [0066]    Moreover, a first sampling device  141  configured to collect part of the dry coal  3  dried by the drying device  112  as a sample  3   a  is attached to the conveyor  113 . A first sample moving device  142  configured to receive the sample  3   a  from the first sampling device  141  and move the sample  3   a  communicates with the first sampling device  141 . 
         [0067]    The first sample moving device  142  can communicate with a first testing device  143  configured to perform oxygen adsorption test on the sample  3   a  collected by the first sampling device  141  and a first weighing device  144  configured to measure the weight of the sample  3   a , collected by the first sampling device  141 , before the oxygen adsorption test and the weight of a sample  3   b  after the oxygen adsorption test. A blower  149   a  and a heater  149   b  which supply the heated air  104  being oxygen containing gas into the first testing device  143  are connected to the first testing device  143 . 
         [0068]    Meanwhile, a second sampling device  145  configured to collect part of the upgraded coal  7  deactivated in the deactivation processing device  130  as a sample  7   a  is attached to the conveyor  117 . A second sample moving device  146  configured to receive the sample  7   a  from the second sampling device  145  and move the sample  7   a  communicates with the second sampling device  145 . 
         [0069]    The second sample moving device  146  can communicate with a second testing device  147  configured to perform the oxygen adsorption test on the sample  7   a  collected by the second sampling device  145  and a second weighing device  148  configured to measure the weight of the sample  7   a , collected by the second sampling device  145 , before the oxygen adsorption test and the weight of a sample  7   b  after the oxygen adsorption test. The blower  149   a  and the heater  149   b  which supply the heated air  104  into the second testing device  147  are connected to the second testing device  147 . 
         [0070]    The weighing devices  144 ,  148  are electrically connected to an input portion of an arithmetic control device  150  including a timer and the like. An output portion of the arithmetic control device  150  is electrically connected to the blowers  133 ,  135 , the heater  134 , the sampling devices  141 ,  145 , the sample moving devices  142 ,  146 , the testing devices  143 ,  147 , the blower  149   a , and the heater  149   b . The arithmetic control device  150  can control operations of the sampling devices  141 ,  145 , the sample moving devices  142 ,  146 , the testing devices  143 ,  147 , the blower  149   a , the heater  149   b , and the like on the basis of information from the timer and the like, and can also control operations of the blowers  133 ,  135 , the heater  134 , and the like on the basis of information from the weighing devices  144 ,  148  and the like (details will be described later). 
         [0071]    In such an embodiment, the first sampling device  141  and the like form first sampling means; the first sample moving device  142  and the like form first sample moving means; the first testing device  143 , the blower  149   a , the heater  149   b , and the like form first testing means; the first weighing device  144  and the like form first weighing means; the second sampling device  145  and the like form second sampling means; the second sample moving device  146  and the like form second sample moving means; the second testing device  147 , the blower  149   a , the heater  149   b , and the like form second testing means; the second weighing device  148  and the like form second weighing means; the arithmetic control device  150  and the like are configured to serve as main arithmetic control means, first sub-arithmetic control means, and second sub-arithmetic control means; the first sampling means, the first sample moving means, the first testing means, the first weighing means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the like form first oxygen adsorption rate measuring means; and the second sampling means, the second sample moving means, the second testing means, the second weighing means, the second sub-arithmetic control means, and the like form second oxygen adsorption rate measuring means. 
         [0072]    Next, operations of the aforementioned upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the embodiment are described. 
         [0073]    When the low-rank coal  1  is supplied to the hopper  111   a  of the pulverizer  111 , the pulverizer  111  pulverizes the low-rank coal  1  to a predetermined grain size and supplies the low-rank coal  1  to the drying device  112  via the rotary valve  121 . The drying device  112  heats and dries (about 100° C.) the low-rank coal  1  by using the heat of the water vapor  101  and removes the moisture  2  to produce the dry coal  3 . Thereafter, the drying device  112  supplies the dry coal  3  to the conveyor  113  via the rotary valve  122 . The conveyor  113  supplies the dry coal  3  to the pyrolysis device  114  via the rotary valve  123 . 
         [0074]    The pyrolysis device  114  performs heating pyrolysis (400° C. to 600° C.) on the dry coal  3  by using the heat of the combustion gas  102  and removes the volatile component  4  to produce the pyrolysis coal  6 . Thereafter, the pyrolysis device  114  supplies the pyrolysis coal  6  to the conveyor  115  via the rotary valve  124 . The conveyor  115  supplies the pyrolysis coal  6  to the cooling device  116  via the rotary valve  125 . 
         [0075]    The cooling device  116  cools (100° C. or lower) the pyrolysis coal  6  by using the cooling water  103  and then supplies the pyrolysis coal  6  into the device main body  131  of the deactivation processing device  130  via the rotary valve  126 . 
         [0076]    The deactivation processing device  130  heats (50° C.) the processing gas  106  (oxygen concentration: 1.5%) obtained by mixing the outside air  104  and the nitrogen gas  105  from the nitrogen gas supply source  132  and supplies the processing gas  106  into the device main body  131  by using the heater  134  and the blowers  133 ,  135 . The deactivation processing device  130  thereby heats the pyrolysis coal  6  in the device main body  131  and deactivates the pyrolysis coal  6  to produce the upgraded coal  7 . Thereafter, the deactivation processing device  130  supplies the upgraded coal  7  to the conveyor  117  via the rotary valve  127 . The conveyor  117  supplies the upgraded coal  7  to the storage tank  118  via the rotary valve  128  and the upgraded coal  7  is stored therein. 
         [0077]    As described above, in the production of the upgraded coal  7 , the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the first sampling device  141  such that the first sampling device  141  collects part of the dry coal  3  dried by the drying device  112  from the conveyor  113  as the sample  3   a  (S 101  in  FIG. 2 ), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the first sample moving device  142  receives the collected sample  3   a  from the first sampling device  141 . 
         [0078]    Thereafter, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the weight Wd1 (g) of the sample  3   a  is measured by the first weighing device  144  (S 102  in  FIG. 2 ), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the first sample moving device  142  moves the sample  3   a  whose weight has been measured into the first testing device  143 . 
         [0079]    Next, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operations of the blower  149   a  and the heater  149   b  such that the air  104  heated to a predetermined test temperature (for example, 95° C.) is supplied into the first testing device  143 , and thereby exposes the sample  3   a  to the air  104  of the test temperature to perform the oxygen adsorption test (S 103  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0080]    Then, when a predetermined test time Td (min.) (for example, 30 minutes) elapses, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142 , on the basis of information from the timer, such that the first sample moving device  142  moves the sample  3   b  subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the first testing device  143  to the first weighing device  144 . After the weight Wd2 (g) of the sample  3   b  is measured by the first weighing device  144  (S 104  in  FIG. 2 ), the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the first sample moving device  142  discharges the sample  3   b  to the outside of the system. 
         [0081]    When the weights Wd1, Wd2 respectively of the samples  3   a ,  3   b  are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device  150  calculates an oxygen adsorption rate Vd (wt %/min.) of the dry coal  3  from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (11) on the basis of the weights Wd1, Wd2 (S 105  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0000]        Vd =( Wd 2− Wd 1)/( Wd 1× Td )×100  (11)
 
         [0082]    Moreover, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the second sampling device  145  such that the second sampling device  145  collects part of the upgraded coal  7  deactivated in the device main body  131  of the deactivation processing device  130  from the conveyor  117  as the sample  7   a  (S 106  in  FIG. 2 ), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the second sample moving device  146  receives the collected sample  7   a  from the second sampling device  145 . 
         [0083]    Thereafter, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the weight Wr1 (g) of the sample  7   a  is measured by the second weighing device  148  (S 107  in  FIG. 2 ), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the second sample moving device  146  moves the sample  7   a  whose weight has been measured into the second testing device  147 . 
         [0084]    Next, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operations of the blower  149   a  and the heater  149   b  such that the air  104  heated to the predetermined temperature (for example, 95° C.) is supplied into the second testing device  147 , and thereby exposes the sample  7   a  to the air  104  of the test temperature to perform oxygen adsorption test (S 108  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0085]    Then, when a predetermined test time Tr (min.) (for example, 30 minutes) elapses, the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146 , on the basis of information from the timer, such that the second sample moving device  146  moves the sample  7   b  subjected to the adsorption test from the inside of the second testing device  147  to the second weighing device  148 . After the weight Wr2 ( g ) of the sample  7   b  is measured by the second weighing device  148  (S 109  in  FIG. 2 ), the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the second sample moving device  146  discharges the sample  7   b  to the outside of the system. 
         [0086]    When the weights Wr1, Wr2 respectively of the samples  7   a ,  7   b  are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device  150  calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vr (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal  7  from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (12) (S 110  in  FIG. 2 ) on the basis of the weights Wr1, Wr2. 
         [0000]        Vr =( Wr 2− Wr 1)/( Wr 1× Tr )×100  (12)
 
         [0087]    When the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal  3  and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal are obtained as described above, the arithmetic control device  150  calculates an oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula (13) on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr (S 111  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0000]        N =|( Vr−Vd )|/ Vd   (13)
 
         [0088]    Then, the arithmetic control device  150  determines whether the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within a range of a standard value Ns (for example, 0 to 0.05) (S 112  in  FIG. 2 ). If the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is within the range of the standard value Ns, the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing is performed properly and controls the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135  and the heater  134  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that deactivation processing conditions are maintained as they are (S 113  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0089]    Meanwhile, if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is outside the range of the standard value Ns, the arithmetic control device  150  determines whether the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns (S 114  in  FIG. 3 ). If the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is beyond the range of the standard value Ns (N&gt;Ns), the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing is insufficient, reads, from a map inputted in advance, an additional oxygen concentration value Oa to be applied the processing gas  106  correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S 115  in  FIG. 3 ), and calculates a corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas  106  on the basis of the additional oxygen concentration value Oa and a present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas  106  (S 116  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0090]    Next, the arithmetic control device  150  determines whether the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc is equal to or smaller than an upper limit value Ou (for example, 10%) (S 117  in  FIG. 3 ). When the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value Ou (Oc≦Ou), the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that the processing gas  106  is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc (S 118  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0091]    When the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc exceeds the upper limit value Ou (Oc≧Ou), the arithmetic control device  150  determines that handling the matter by increasing the oxygen concentration of the processing gas  106  is inappropriate, reads, from a map inputted in advance, an additional temperature value Ta to be applied to the processing gas  106  correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S 119  in  FIG. 3 ), and calculates a corrected temperature value Tc of the processing gas  106  on the basis of the additional temperature value Ta and a present temperature value Tp in the processing gas  106  (S 120  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0092]    Next, the arithmetic control device  150  determines whether the corrected temperature value Tc is equal to or smaller than an upper limit value Tu (for example, 95° C.) (S 121  in  FIG. 3 ). When the corrected temperature value Tc is equal to or smaller than the upper limit value Tu (Tc≦Tu), the arithmetic control device  150  controls the operation of the heater  134  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that the processing gas  106  is set to the corrected temperature value Tc (S 122  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0093]    When the corrected temperature value Tc exceeds the upper limit value Tu (Tc&gt;Tu), the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing cannot be appropriately performed due to some reason and transmits a command required for suspending the production of the upgraded coal  7  (S 123  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0094]    Moreover, if the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N is below the range of the standard value Ns (N&lt;Ns) in step S 114  described above, the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing is excessively performed, reads, from a map inputted in advance, a decrease oxygen concentration value Od to be applied to the processing gas  106  correspondingly to the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N (S 124  in  FIG. 3 ), calculates the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc in the processing gas  106  on the basis of the decrease oxygen concentration value Od and the present oxygen concentration value Op in the processing gas  106  (S 125  in  FIG. 3 ), and controls the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that the processing gas is set to the corrected oxygen concentration value Oc (S 118  in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0095]    When a specific time Ts (for example, one hour) elapses from the collection of the upgraded coal  7  (S 126  in  FIG. 4 ) while the arithmetic control device  150  is controlling the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135  and the heater  134  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that the deactivation processing is appropriately performed, as in steps S 106  to S 110  described above, the arithmetic control device  150  collects again part of the upgraded coal  7  newly deactivated in the deactivation processing device  130  as a sample  7   a   n  (S 127  in  FIG. 4 ), measures the weight Wr1 n  (g) of the sample  7   a   n  before the oxygen adsorption test (S 128  in  FIG. 4 ), performs the oxygen adsorption test on the sample  7   a   n  (S 129  in  FIG. 4 ), then measures the weight Wr2 n  (g) of a sample  7   b   n  after the oxygen adsorption test (S 130  in  FIG. 4 ), and calculates a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal  7  again from the following formula (14) similar to the formula (12), on the basis of the weights Wr1 n , Wr2 n  (S 131  in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0000]        Vr   n =( Wr 2 n   −Wr 1 n )/( Wr 1 n   ×Tr )×100  (14)
 
         [0096]    Next, the arithmetic control device  150  calculates a stability S of the deactivation processing from the following stability calculation formula (15), on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  newly-obtained and an oxygen adsorption rate Vr n-1  (Vr in this case) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  (S 132  in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0000]        S =|( Vr   n   −Vr   n-1 )|/ Vr   n   (15)
 
         [0097]    Then, the arithmetic control device  150  determines whether the stability S is within a range of a standard value Ss (for example, 0 to 0.01) (S 133  in  FIG. 4 ). If the stability S is within the range of the standard value Ss, the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing is in a stable state in which the processing is stably performed. Then, the arithmetic control device  150  recalculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the following oxygen adsorption rate ratio recalculation formula (16) similar to the formula (13), on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rate Vd obtained from the samples  3   a ,  3   b  of the dry coal  3  and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  newly obtained from the samples  7   a   n ,  7   b   n  of the new upgraded coal  7  which are collected again in the current test (S 134  in  FIG. 4 ), and thereafter returns to step S 112  described above. 
         [0000]        N =|( Vr   n   −Vd )|/ Vd   (16)
 
         [0098]    Meanwhile, if the stability S is within the range of the standard value Ss, the arithmetic control device  150  determines that the deactivation processing is in a transition state in which the processing is unstable and that appropriate determination cannot be performed. The arithmetic control device  150  then returns to step S 126  described above and performs steps S 127  to S 133  described above again. 
         [0099]    Accordingly, in the upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the embodiment, even when the composition of the low-rank coal  1  varies, the deactivation processing can be performed in a simple way under necessary and sufficient conditions corresponding to the composition of the low-rank coal  1 . 
         [0100]    Hence, in the upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the embodiment, upgraded coal can be produced in a simple way at a low cost from the low-rank coal  1  of various compositions. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0101]    A second embodiment of the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention is described based on  FIGS. 5 to 8 . Note that parts similar to those in the aforementioned embodiment are denoted by reference numerals similar to the reference numerals used in the description of the aforementioned embodiment, and description overlapping the description of the aforementioned embodiment is omitted. 
         [0102]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first sample moving device  142  configured to receive the sample  3   a  from the first sampling device  141  and move the sample  3   a  can communicate with: a first testing device  243  which is the first testing means and which performs the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample  3   a  collected by the first sampling device  141  in an air-tight manner in an inside of the first testing device  243  filled with an air atmosphere being an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature (for example, 20° C.); and the first weighing device  144  which measures the weight of the sample  3   a  collected by the first sampling device  141 . A pressure sensor  243   a  which is first pressure measuring means and which measures the pressure inside the first testing device  243  is provided in the first testing device  243 . 
         [0103]    Moreover, the second sample moving device  146  configured to receive the sample  7   a  from the second sampling device  145  and move the sample  7   a  can communicate with: a second testing device  247  which is the second testing means and which performs the oxygen adsorption test by holding the sample  7   a  collected by the second sampling device  145  in an air-tight manner in an inside of the second testing device  247  filled with an air atmosphere being an oxygen containing atmosphere and maintained at a constant temperature (for example, 20° C.); and the second weighing device  148  which measures the weight of the sample  7   a  collected by the second sampling device  145 . A pressure sensor  247   a  which is second pressure measuring means and which measures the pressure inside the second testing device  247  is provided in the second testing device  247 . 
         [0104]    The pressure sensors  243   a ,  247   a  are electrically connected to an input portion of an arithmetic control device  250  including a timer and the like, together with the weighing devices  144 ,  148 . An output portion of the arithmetic control device  250  is electrically connected to the blowers  133 ,  135 , the heater  134 , the sampling devices  141 ,  145 , and the sample moving devices  142 ,  146 , together with the testing devices  243 ,  247 . The arithmetic control device  250  can control the operations of the sampling devices  141 ,  145 , the sample moving devices  142 ,  146 , the testing devices  243 ,  247 , and the like on the basis of information from the timer and the like, and can also control the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135 , the heater  134 , and the like on the basis of information from the weighing devices  144 ,  148 , the pressure sensors  243   a ,  247   a , and the like (details will be described later). 
         [0105]    In such an embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  and the like are configured to serve as the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means. 
         [0106]    Next, operations of the aforementioned upgraded coal production equipment  200  of the embodiment are described. 
         [0107]    When the low-rank coal  1  is supplied to the hopper  111   a  of the pulverizer  111 , like the upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the aforementioned embodiment, the upgraded coal production equipment  200  of the embodiment removes the moisture  2  from the low-rank coal  1  to produce the dry coal  3 , performs pyrolysis on the dry coal  3  to produce the pyrolysis coal  6 , and deactivates the pyrolysis coal  6  by heating the pyrolysis coal  6  with the processing gas  106  to produce the upgraded coal  7 , and stores the upgraded coal  7  in the storage tank  118 . 
         [0108]    Moreover, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  controls the operation of the first sampling device  141  such that the first sampling device  141  collects part of the dry coal  3  dried by the drying device  112  from the conveyor  113  as the sample  3   a  (S 201  in  FIG. 6 ), and then controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the first sample moving device  142  receives the collected sample  3   a  from the first sampling device  141 . 
         [0109]    Next, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the weight Wd1 (g) of the sample  3   a  is measured by the first weighing device  144  (S 202  in  FIG. 6 ), then controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the measured sample  3   a  is sealed inside the first testing device  243 , and measures an internal pressure Pd1 (hPa) of the first testing device  243  before the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor  243   a  (S 203  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0110]    Next, after the oxygen adsorption test is performed (S 204  in  FIG. 6 ) by holding the sample  3   a  inside the first testing device  243  in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature for a predetermined test time Td (min.) (for example, 10 minutes) on the basis of information from the timer, the arithmetic control device  250  measures an internal pressure Pd2 (hPa) of the first testing device  243  after the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor  243   a  (S 205  in  FIG. 6 ), and controls the operation of the first sample moving device  142  such that the first sample moving device  142  discharges the sample  3   b  subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the first testing device  243  to the outside of the system. 
         [0111]    When the weight Wd1 of the sample  3   a  and the internal pressures Pd1, Pd2 of the first testing device  243  before and after the oxygen adsorption test are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device  250  calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vd (wt %/min.) of the dry coal  3  from the following dry coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formulae (21), (22) on the basis of the weight Wd1 and the internal pressures Pd1, Pd2 (S 206  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0000]        Vd=Qd /( Wd 1× Td )×100  (21)
 
         [0112]    In this formula, Qd represents an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O 2 /g-coal) of the dry coal  3  and is a value obtained from the following formula (22). 
         [0000]        Qd =[{( Pd 1 −Pd 2)/1013}×{ Cd −( Wd 1 /D )}]/(22.4 ×Wd 1)  (22)
 
         [0113]    In this formula, Cd represents the internal capacity (cm 3 ) of the first testing device  243  and D represents the true density (g/cm 3 ) of the low-rank coal  1 . Cd and D are both values obtained in advance. 
         [0114]    Moreover, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  controls the operation of the second sampling device  145  such that the second sampling device  145  collects part of the upgraded coal  7  deactivated in the deactivation processing device  130  from the conveyor  117  as the sample  7   a  (S 207  in  FIG. 6 ), and then controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the second sample moving device  146  receives the collected sample  7   a  from the second sampling device  145 . 
         [0115]    Thereafter, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the weight Wr1 (g) of the sample  7   a  is measured by the second weighing device  148  (S 208  in  FIG. 6 ), then controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the sample  7   a  whose weight has been measured is sealed inside the second testing device  247 , and measures an internal pressure Pr1 (hPa) of the second testing device  247  before the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor  247   a  (S 209  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0116]    Next, after the oxygen adsorption test is performed (S 210  in  FIG. 6 ) by holding the sample  7   a  inside the second testing device  247  in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature for a predetermined test time Tr (min.) (for example, 10 minutes) on the basis of information from the timer, the arithmetic control device  250  measures an internal pressure Pr2 (hPa) of the second testing device  247  after the oxygen adsorption test on the basis of information from the pressure sensor  247   a  (S 211  in  FIG. 6 ), and controls the operation of the second sample moving device  146  such that the second sample moving device  146  discharges the sample  7   a  subjected to the oxygen adsorption test from the inside of the second testing device  247  to the outside of the system. 
         [0117]    When the weight Wr1 of the sample  7   a  and the internal pressures Pr1, Pr2 of the second testing device  247  before and after the oxygen adsorption test are measured as described above, the arithmetic control device  250  calculates the oxygen adsorption rate Vr (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal  7  from the following upgraded coal oxygen adsorption rate calculation formula (23) on the basis of the weight Wr1 and the internal pressures Pr1, Pr2 (S 212  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0000]        Vr=Qr /( Wr 1× Tr )×100  (23)
 
         [0118]    In this formula, Qr represents an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O 2 /g-coal) of the upgraded coal  7  and is a value obtained from the following formula (24). 
         [0000]        Qr =[{( Pr 1 −Pr 2)/1013}×{ Cr −( Wr 1 /D )}]/(22.4 ×Wr 1)  (24)
 
         [0119]    In this formula, Cr represents the internal capacity (cm 3 ) of the second testing device  247  and is a value obtained in advance. 
         [0120]    When the oxygen adsorption rate Vd of the dry coal  3  and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr of the upgraded coal are obtained as described above, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  calculates the oxygen adsorption rate ratio N from the oxygen adsorption rate ratio calculation formula (13) on the basis of the oxygen adsorption rates Vd, Vr (S 111  in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0121]    Next, the arithmetic control device  250  performs steps S 112  to S 126  described above as in the aforementioned embodiment (see  FIGS. 6 to 8 ). 
         [0122]    Then, as in the aforementioned embodiment, when the specific time Ts (for example, one hour) elapses from the collection of the upgraded coal  7  (S 126  in  FIG. 8 ) while the arithmetic control device  250  is controlling the operations of the blowers  133 ,  135  and the heater  134  of the deactivation processing device  130  such that the deactivation processing is appropriately performed, as in steps S 207  to S 212  described above, the arithmetic control device  250  collects again part of the upgraded coal  7  newly deactivated in the deactivation processing device  130  as the sample  7   a   n  (S 213  in  FIG. 8 ), measures the weight Wr1 n  (g) of the sample  7   a   n  before the oxygen adsorption test (S 214  in  FIG. 8 ), measures the internal pressure Pr1 n  before the oxygen adsorption test of the second testing device  247  held in an air-tight manner in the air atmosphere at the constant temperature (S 215  in  FIG. 8 ), then performs the oxygen adsorption test on the sample  7   a   n  (S 216  in  FIG. 8 ), measures the internal pressure Pr2 n  just after the oxygen adsorption test (S 217  in  FIG. 8 ), and calculates a new oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  (wt %/min.) of the upgraded coal  7  again from the following formula (25) similar to the formula (23), on the basis of the weights Wr1 n  and the internal pressures PR1 n , Pr2 n  (S 218  in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0000]        Vr   n   =Qr   n /( Wr 1 n   ×Tr )×100  (25)
 
         [0123]    In this formula, Qr n  is an oxygen adsorption quantity (mmol-O 2 /g-coal) of the new upgraded coal  7  collected again and is a value obtained from the following formula (26) similar to the formula (24). 
         [0000]        Qr   n =[{( Pr 1 n   −Pr 2 n )/1013 }×{Cr −( Wr 1 n   /D )}]/(22.4 ×Wr 1 n )  (26)
 
         [0124]    Next, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  calculates the stability S from the formula (15) on the basis of the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  newly-obtained and the oxygen adsorption rate Vr n-1  (Vr in this case) obtained just before the current oxygen adsorption rate Vr n  (S 132  in  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0125]    Then, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the arithmetic control device  250  performs steps S 133 , S 134  described above (see  FIG. 8 ). Hereafter, the arithmetic control device  250  controls the operations as in the aforementioned embodiment (see  FIGS. 6 to 8 ). 
         [0126]    Accordingly, in the upgraded coal production equipment  200  of the embodiment, even when the composition of the low-rank coal  1  varies, the deactivation processing can be performed in a simple way under necessary and sufficient conditions corresponding to the composition of the low-rank coal  1 , as in the upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the aforementioned embodiment. 
         [0127]    Hence, in the upgraded coal production equipment  200  of the embodiment, upgraded coal can be produced in a simple way at a low cost from the low-rank coal  1  of various compositions, as in the upgraded coal production equipment  100  of the aforementioned embodiment. 
       Other Embodiment 
       [0128]    In the aforementioned embodiments, description is given of the upgraded coal production equipment  100 ,  200  including the pulverizer  111  and the cooling device  116 . However, depending on the state of the low-rank coal  1  and various conditions such as pyrolysis conditions, the pulverizer  111  and the cooling device  116  can be omitted. 
         [0129]    Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiments, the arithmetic control device  150 ,  250  is configured to serve as the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means. However, as another embodiment, for example, the main arithmetic control means, the first sub-arithmetic control means, and the second sub-arithmetic control means may be configured to be independent from one another. 
         [0130]    Moreover, in the embodiments described above, the first sample moving device  142  moves the sample  3   a  collected by the first sampling device  141  to the first weighing device  144  and the first testing device  143 ,  243 , and the second sample moving device  146  moves the sample  7   a  collected by the second sampling device  145  to the second weighing device  148  and the second testing device  147 ,  247 . However, as another embodiment, for example, the sample  3   a  collected by the first sampling means and the sample  7   a  collected by the second sampling means may be moved by the same sample moving means, a single weighing means may be configured to serve as the first weighing means and the second weighing means, and a single testing means may be configured to serve as the first testing means and second testing means. 
         [0131]    Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiments, the processing gas  106  having the predetermined oxygen concentration is produced by mixing the nitrogen gas  105  and the air  104  together. However, as another embodiment, for example, the processing gas  106  having the predetermined oxygen concentration may be produced by mixing the nitrogen gas  105  and oxygen gas together. However, producing the processing gas  106  having the predetermined oxygen concentration by mixing the nitrogen gas  105  and the air  104  together as in the aforementioned embodiments is very preferable because there is no need to prepare the oxygen gas. 
         [0132]    Moreover, a nitrogen gas cylinder or the like prepared only for production of the processing gas  106  may be used as the nitrogen gas supply source  132  as a matter of course. Alternatively, for example, it is possible to use pyrolysis gas (main component: nitrogen gas) which is sent out from the pyrolysis device performing the pyrolysis of the low-rank coal by using nitrogen gas supplied thereto and which is then subjected to removal of volatile components, dusts, and the like. In this case, it is possible to reduce heat energy to be newly added to the processing gas  106  to perform the deactivation processing. 
         [0133]    Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiments, description is given of the case where the low-rank coal  1  is dried and subjected to the pyrolysis and then deactivated to produce the upgraded coal  7 . However, the present invention is not limited to this case and can be applied to any case where raw-material coal is dried and subjected to the pyrolysis and then deactivated to produce upgraded coal, as in the aforementioned embodiments. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0134]    Since the upgraded coal production equipment of the present invention can produce the upgraded coal by deactivating raw-material coal of various compositions in a simple way at low cost, the present invention can be very useful in industries. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1  low-rank coal 
           2  moisture 
           3  dry coal 
           3   a ,  3   b  sample 
           4  volatile component 
           6  pyrolysis coal 
           7  upgraded coal 
           7   a ,  7   b  sample 
           100  upgraded coal production equipment 
           101  water vapor 
           102  combustion gas 
           103  cooling water 
           104  air 
           105  nitrogen gas 
           106  processing gas 
           111  pulverizer 
           111   a  hopper 
           112  drying device 
           113  conveyor 
           114  pyrolysis device 
           115  conveyor 
           116  cooling device 
           117  conveyor 
           118  storage tank 
           121  to  128  rotary valve 
           130  deactivation processing device 
           131  device main body 
           132  nitrogen gas supply source 
           133  blower 
           134  heater 
           135  blower 
           141  first sampling device 
           142  first sample moving device 
           143  first testing device 
           144  first weighing device 
           145  second sampling device 
           146  second sample moving device 
           147  second testing device 
           148  second weighing device 
           149   a  blower 
           149   b  heater 
           150  arithmetic control device 
           200  upgraded coal production equipment 
           243  first testing device 
           243   a  pressure sensor 
           247  second testing device 
           247   a  pressure sensor 
           250  arithmetic control device