US4208273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Separation of coal from waste material
Assignee: Occidental Research Corp
•
Filing: 1978-04-19
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Granted: 1980-06-17
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Expires: 1998-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for the separation of coal from run of mine (ROM) coal containing particles of coal and refuse, which comprises conditioning the ROM coal with a coupling agent capable of selectively coating the particulate coal to the substantial exclusion of coating the refuse, which coupling agent is at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms. Combined with said coupling agent is a fluorescent dye in a quantity to make the coated particles of coal fluoresce upon excitation to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated coal particles from the substantially non-coated refuse. Exciting (e.g. as with ultraviolet light) the fluorescent dye coupled to the coal particles induces fluorescence and enables separating the fluorescing, coated coal particles from substantially non-fluorescing, non-coated refuse particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Brij M. Moudgil
- 👤 David F. Messenger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:52
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03B; B03B1/00; B03B1/04; B03B13/00; B03B13/04; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342; B07C5/3425; B07C5/3427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A process for the separation of coal from a run of mine (ROM) coal containing particles of carbonaceous coal and refuse which comprises conditioning the ROM coal with a coupling agent capable of selectively coating carbonaceous coal in the particulate ROM coal to the substantial exclusion of coating refuse, which coupling agent comprises at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms and which coupling agent is combined with a fluorescent dye in a quantity sufficient to make the coated particles of carbonaceous coal fluoresce upon excitation to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated carbonaceous coal particles from the substantially non-coated refuse, exciting the fluorescent dye coupled to the carbonaceous coal particles to induce fluorescence; and separating fluorescing, coated carbonaceous coal particles from substantially non-fluorescing, non-coated refuse particles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A process for the separation of coal from a run of mine (ROM) coal containing particles of carbonaceous coal and refuse which comprises conditioning the ROM coal with a coupling agent capable of selectively coating carbonaceous coal in the particulate ROM coal to the substantial exclusion of coating refuse, which coupling agent comprises at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms and which coupling agent is combined with a fluorescent dye in a quantity sufficient to make the coated particles of carbonaceous coal fluoresce upon excitation to a degree sufficient to distinguish the coated carbonaceous coal particles from the substantially non-coated refuse, exciting the fluorescent dye coupled to the carbonaceous coal particles to induce fluorescence; and separating fluorescing, coated carbonaceous coal particles from substantially non-fluorescing, non-coated refuse particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said coupling agent comprises an alcohol having from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said coupling agent comprises n-decyl alcohol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said coupling agent comprises n-octanyl alcohol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said coupling agent comprises n-tetradecanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said coupling agent comprises n-eicosanyl alcohol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said fluorescent dye comprises an oil soluble dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said fluorescent dye comprises fluoranthene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said fluorescent dye comprises fluorescent yellow G.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said fluorescent dye is combined with the coupling agent prior to the conditioning of the ROM coal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said fluorescent dye is combined with the coupling agent after the ROM coal has been conditioned with said coupling agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said ROM coal is of a particle size of from about 1/4 inch to about 8 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said ROM coal is of a particle size of from about 1/2 inch to about 3 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for separating coal particles from ROM coal containing particles and refuse particles, comprising treating particulate ROM coal with a detectable marking agent to attach said marking agent preferentially to the coal particles or refuse particles in said ROM coal, and by thereafter separating particles carrying said marking agent from the treated particulate ROM coal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for separating coal particles from ROM coal containing particles and refuse particles, comprising treating particulate ROM coal with a detectable marking agent to attach said marking agent preferentially to the coal particles or refuse particles in said ROM coal, and by thereafter separating particles carrying said marking agent from the treated particulate ROM coal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process for separating coal particles from ROM coal containing coal particles and refuse particles, comprising treating particulate ROM coal with a coating agent comprising at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms preferentially to coat coal particles, and with a detectable marking agent to attach said marking agent to the coal particles or refuse particles in said ROM coal, and thereafter separating particles carrying said marking agent from the treated particulate ROM coal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process for separating coal particles from ROM coal containing coal particles and refuse particles, comprising treating particulate ROM coal with a coating agent comprising at least one alcohol containing from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms preferentially to coat coal particles, and with a detectable marking agent to attach said marking agent to the coal particles or refuse particles in said ROM coal, and thereafter separating particles carrying said marking agent from the treated particulate ROM coal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-12-17 | 1984-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-17 | 1987-12-17 | 1988-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-17 | 1991-12-17 | 1992-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |