Preparation of coal slurry with 2-propanol

This study explored the feasibility of using waste organic solvents as substitutes for water to prepare coal slurries. The rheological properties of coal-2-propanol slurries were examined and compared with that of coal-water slurry (CWS). The good compatibility between coal particles and 2-propanol resulted in stable particle suspension in slurry which usually exhibit Newtonian behaviour. However, coal-2-propanol slurries usually shown higher viscosities comparing to CWSs at a fixed solid loading due to swelling of coal by 2-propanol. In addition, coal-2-propanol slurries demonstrated lower settling rates (higher stability) compared to CWSs presumably due to good compatibility between coal particles and 2-propanol. Finally, coal-2-propanol slurries formed bulky sediment with loose structure even coal particles suspended in 2-propanol were more stable than coal particles in CWSs.