Production of carbonised agglomerates such as carbonised agglomerated fuel and means therefor

719,999. Carbonizing processes. C.U.R.A. PATENTS, Ltd. Nov. 25, 1953 (Dec. 1, 1952], No. 30423/52. Class 55 (1) Carbonized agglomerates are obtained by subjecting fine coal &c. to an oscillatory motion having an horizontal component at a temperature at which the particles acquire an adhesive surface, the agglomerates formed being caused by this motion to traverse a number of parallel trough-like zones disposed at right angles to the direction of movement until carbonized. A tray 1 which extends below a pair of gas burner pipes 3 through a brick-lined heating chamber with a fall of about 3 inches has a preliminary zone X without transverse grooves or with grooves, e.g. 7/32 inches radius, and a lower zone Y with grooves of inch radius. The tray oscillates at 200 cycles a minute with a stroke of about 1¢ inches. Blends of coals of different caking properties may be utilized or a strongly caking coal may be pre-oxidized or roasted. Methane and a reactive coke may be obtained by conducting the operation under pressures of 20 atmos. and over in the presence of hydrogen. Specification 706.639 is referred to.