Inventors:
Charles W. Bullinger - Bismarck ND, US
Mark A. Ness - Underwood ND, US
Nenad Sarunac - Easton PA, US
Edward K. Levy - Bethlehem PA, US
Richard S. Weinstein - Bismarck ND, US
James R. Dennis - Bismarck ND, US
Matthew P. Coughlin - Hibbing MN, US
John M. Wheeldon - Birmingham AL, US
Assignee:
Great River Energy - Maple Grove MN
International Classification:
B01D 50/00
US Classification:
96150, 34363, 209133, 209134, 209143, 209147
Abstract:
The present invention harvests and utilizes fluidized bed drying technology and waste heat streams augmented by other available heat sources to dry feedstock or fuel. This method is useful in many industries, including coal-fired power plants. Coal is dried using the present invention before it goes to coal pulverizers and on to the furnace/boiler arrangement to improve boiler efficiency and reduce emissions. This is all completed in a low-temperature, open-air system. Also included is an apparatus for segregating particulate by density and/or size including a fluidizing bed having a particulate receiving inlet for receiving particulate to be fluidized. This is useful for segregating contaminants like sulfur and mercury from the product stream.