ROBERT E ADAMS
Barber in Pittsburgh, PA

5997288, Dec 7, 1999

Apr 18, 1997

8/853032

Robert J. Adams - Pittsburgh PA

F27B 700, F27B 736, C10B 110

432105

A flighted, horizontally inclined rotary retort, heated externally by flame, hot gases, steam or other sources of heat. The retort shall have sufficient flight area to transport the coal through the retort in the predetermined time. The coal being processed in this retort is prevented from becoming exothermic by provision for a countercurrent flow of blanket gas, heated to a predetermined temperature below exotherm, to prevent coal surface temperatures from rising above the ignition temperature. The retort accommodates oversize pieces of raw coal by having alternating long and short flights, thus allowing greater space between long flights and allowing the larger pieces to be carried over the center pipe by the wiping action of the long flights. The retort will also be provided with an internal pipe, mounted on the center line of the shell. This pipe will be provided with the means for installation of thermocouples at regular intervals thereon in order to measure the surface temperature of the fuel in process.

5254139, Oct 19, 1993

Aug 5, 1991

7/740450

Robert J. Adams - Pittsburgh PA

C10L 500

44626

A method of treating coal. The method comprises passing the coal through a retort having a shell temperature of about 500. degree. -1000. degree. F. and shock heating the coal to a maximum surface temperature of about 500. degree. -1000. degree. F. without allowing the coal to become exothermic. The coal is prevented from going exothermic by a combination of factors, including the evaporation of moisture from the shock heated coal, the tendency of coal to absorb heat and maintain a temperature of about 390. degree. -570. degree. F. until the coal undergoes molecular transformation of complex hydrocarbons contained in the coal to simpler forms, and the effects of a cooling blanket gas passed through the shock heated coal. The blanket gas preferably comprises an oxygen lean blanket gas stream containing about 2-8% oxygen by volume. The treated coal exhibits extremely low moisture content and increased BTU value and other improved combustion characteristics.

5468265, Nov 21, 1995

Aug 12, 1993

8/105750

Robert J. Adams - Pittsburgh PA

RJA Associates - Pittsburgh PA

C10L 500

44505

A method of treating coal. The method comprises passing the coal through a retort having a shell temperature of about 500. degree. -1000. degree. F. and shock heating the coal to a maximum surface temperature of about 500. degree. -1000. degree. F. without allowing the coal to become exothermic. The coal is prevented from going exothermic by a combination of factors, including the evaporation of moisture from the shock heated coal, the tendency of coal to absorb heat and maintain a temperature of about 390. degree. -570. degree. F. until the coal undergoes molecular transformation of complex hydrocarbons contained in the coal to simpler forms, and the effects of a cooling blanket gas passed through the shock heated coal. The blanket gas preferably comprises an oxygen lean blanket gas stream containing about 2-8% oxygen by volume. The treated coal exhibits extremely low moisture content and increased BTU value and other improved combustion characteristics.