RHEOLOGY OF LOW-VISCOSITY, HIGH-CONCENTRATION BROWN-COAL SUSPENSIONS

The paper describes how the rheology of low concentration brown coal suspensions can be exploited to produce high concentration, low viscosity suspensions which are attractive as a potential coal-water fuel. Brown coal suspensions with solid concentrations approaching those of bituminous black coal have been prepared. The high inherent water content (almost-equal-to 60 wt%) and macroporosity of the brown coal have been reduced by thermal and chemical means. The hydrophobicity of the coal surface has been increased sufficiently to reduce the tendency for swelling and water uptake. This, together with densification, has allowed the solids content to be progressively improved from 30 wt% solids with raw coal to 65 wt% solids with modified coals while maintaining the viscosity of the suspension at a low level. The high solid concentration was achieved without additives.