Shell Mining Company

Ziegler Coal Holding Company

Timothy S Westby

Lynton W Dicks

Mark A Siddoway

Thomas G McCord

Coal blends suitable for combustion in a slagging-type combustion apparatus comprise blends of (1) a bituminous coal which forms ash slag having unacceptably high viscosity with (2) a lignitic coal which forms ash slag having marginal viscosity characteristics or T.sub.cv whereupon combustion of the blends results in formation of ash slag having viscosity which is synergistically lowered and acceptable for slagging.

Coal blends having improved ash viscosity

A method for upgrading coal in-situ is disclosed in which a treatment zone is established around an energy source placed in a cavity within a coal seam and the pore structure of the coal substantially irreversibly collapses as moisture is driven off. The energy source provides either evaporative energy such as heat or a combination of heat and pressure in-situ. Resorption of water returning to the treatment zone during cooling of the coal prior to mining is limited due to the pore collapse.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Timothy S Westby