The Energy Institute has on site a wide variety of pilot- and demonstration-scale coal preparation and cleaning equipment as well as bench-scale analytical equipment to evaluate the composition of solid and liquid fuels. The effects of various cleaning and preparation techniques on fuel quality, handleability and combustion can be determined.

Fuel Preparation

The Energy Institute has an extensive array of equipment that is used to prepare/ process solid and liquid fuels. Solid fuels can be crushed using jaw crushers, roller mills, hammermills, and/or an air swept pulverizer. Capacities of this equipment range from a few lbs./ hr up to a nominal 1,000 lbs./ hr. Ball mills and stirred bead mills are also available. Solids materials then can be classified using either wet or dry screening. Dewatering is accomplished using vacuum filtration (disk, drum, or pan) or using a solid-bowl centrifuge.

Liquid fuels can be heated to reduce their apparent viscosity and mixed using a wide variety of mixers (e.g., ribbon or center mounted). Mixing tanks are equipped with baffles to ensure thorough mixing. Impeller type and configuration can be varied to custom process liquid fuels.

Solids samples can be received in buckets, 55 gallon drums, and nominal 1 ton supersacks. Liquid fuels are typically received in buckets or 55 gallon drums; however, totes can also be handled.