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Abstract

An improved technique is provided for forming coal into a stabilized coal-oil mixture. Coal, in a fine mesh size, is admixed with oil, a monomeric compound, a reaction initiator and a reaction catalyst at elevated temperatures and under a condition of low shear. The coal mixture is thereafter immediately subjected to a condition of high shear at the maintained elevated temperature. The mixture is then admixed with a gelling agent to form a stable coal-oil mixture. According to the technique, coal of significantly greater water content than heretofore thought acceptable, is formed to a stable coal-oil mixture in a ready manner. In addition, the amount of monomeric compound heretofore thought needed to form the desired stable mixture is substantially reduced, resulting in improved process efficiency. In its preferred aspect, the process is adapted to treat raw coal which has first been subjected to pulverization, chemical surface treatment, separation from ash and sulfur, and drying. The raw coal thus processed is thereafter formed into the coal-oil mixture in the form of a stable mixture using the described technique.

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First Claim