Slane Energy, LLC (SEL) provides and operates the facilities for the manufacture of synthetic coal-based fuels. The fuel offers the advantages of having lower sulfur and lower mercury emissions than the base coal , compatibility with existing feed and boiler systems, allows Section 45 tax credits, and may attract other renewable portfolio credits.

In conventional coal processing/cleaning plants, ultrafine coal (representing perhaps 10% of the coal cleaning throughput) has historically been discarded in sludge ponds. Recent technology developments allow the extraction of fine coal (which is very pure) from the cleaning plant discharge, and the economic dewatering of the fines – producing a caked product that is much easier to handle and transport than fines.

These fines are blended with holocellulose, lignin, and reactive binders, producing briquettes to size/shape specifications that can be managed as coal. The briquetting process mechanically removes excess water.

Holocellulose is the structural material of wood, cotton, and other agricultural materials that remain after removal of extractives . Several patents protect SEL’s production processes.

As the binder is chemically reactive with the hydroxyl compounds in the holocellulose and in the coal, the resulting product is chemically altered and meets the requirements for tax credits under Section 45 of the federal tax code.