A mixture of finely ground coal and water (CWS) represents an interesting alternative to fuel oil in power stations or in gasifiers. The slurry consists of a stable, low-viscosity suspension of coal particles in water using suitable additives for improving the rheological characteristics.
In the frame of a project promoted by ENEA, the state agency for the energy and the environment, under the management of Sotacarbo, a public Company involved in the development of advanced coal technologies, AQUAVIS has carried out an experimental research on behalf of DICAAR, concerning the applicability of a new comminution process based on the synergetic combination of water jets with mechanical actions. The results so far obtained encourage a further investigation in order to assess the commercial feasibility.