USE OF COAL/OIL MIXTURES AS AN INDUSTRIAL FUEL.

This paper is concerned with technological and economic aspects of the use of coal-oil mixtures (COM) for boilers and industrial furnaces. Coal-Oil Mixtures is a term applied generically to a class of fuels described as a suspension of from 30 to 50% pulverized coal by weight with residual fuel oil prepared with or without water, and with or without chemical additives. A brief description of COM history is followed by a review of alternative processes of coal production (on-site slurry, chemical additives, ultrafine grind, mechanical emulsification). Economics of boiler and furnace conversion as well as the firing cost with COM are considered. Forecast for the future development is included. It is pointed out that systematic conversion of utility and industrial fuel users to COM is economically and technically feasible. Improved economics and technology indicate an even more positive outlook for COM in the months and years ahead.