University of Missouri

Yu Lin

Henry Liu

Yuyi Lin

This invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming an aggregate product from particulate material, and in particular for making an aggregate coal product from coal particles. The method involves the steps of 1) loading the coal particles into a mold having an open end and an inner surface defining, in part, a pressurization chamber, the open end of the mold having an outwardly flaring inner peripheral end surface, 2) pressurizing the coal particles within the pressurization chamber such that the coal particles aggregate to form the coal log, and 3) pushing the coal log out of the mold past the flared end surface so that the coal log expands as it passes the end surface. The method may also include the step of maintaining back pressure on the coal log as it is pushed out of the mold. In addition to coal logs, the mold configuration of this invention may be used for making other aggregate products from particulate materials.

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Jiangzi, China

Yu Lin