in the 1978 annual book of astm standards part 26 techniques for drying coal are discussed in u s pat nos 4 396 394 and 4 402 707 both of which are incorporated herein by reference the method of this invention is applicable to all forms of dried coal especially deep dried coal but is especially useful for dried low rank coals such as sub bituminous lignite and brown coals in the method of this invention the coal particles are first reduced to particles having a maximum diameter of 1 to 4 inches with an average diameter of about 0 2 to 0 5 inches the particulated coal is then contacted with a heated stream of drying gas preferably in a fluidized bed at a temperature between about 190 u00b0 f and 230 u00b0 f preferably 200 u00b0 f to 215 u00b0 f for a contact period of between 1 and 15 minutes preferably 3 to 7 minutes so that the rate of evaporation of water is about 0 1 to 0 5 tons per hour preferably 0 17 to 0 22 tons per hour per ton of raw coal the techniques for drying the particulated coal are set forth in the u s.