Development of a gas-promoted oil agglomeration process. Quarterly technical progress report, April 1, 1996--June 30, 1996

A number of agglomeration tests were conducted with finely ground Pittsburgh No. 8 coal to study the effects of various parameters on the size and structure of the agglomerates formed, the rate of agglomeration, coal recovery, and ash rejection. In these tests, concentrated suspensions were treated with i-octane and a limited amount of air in a small laboratory mixing unit. Conditions were identified which affected either the rate of agglomeration or the type of product produced. Some conditions led to the formation of unconsolidated flocs while others led to the production of compact agglomerates. Since the product was recovered by screening, the largest recovery of coal and cleanest product were realized when the product was in the form of compact agglomerates rather than in the form of unconsolidated flocs