Upgrading of coal fines with a Centrifugal Concentrator
Bench and pilot testing of four centrifugal concentrator models on fine coal from two collieries, with operating variables that resisted correlation flagged for further work. For plant metallurgists.
by Tshepang Mashike
Four centrifugal concentrators all cut ash in fine coal, with desliming the decisive step. The best unit took ash from 35.2% to 18.47% and sulphur from 0.68% to 0.36% in a single stage, raising calorific value from 23.78 to 26.16 MJ/kg. Pilot work reached 19% ash on thickener underflow and reconstituted spiral feed.
Description
This study explored the effectiveness of centrifugal concentrators—Knelson KC-MD3, Falcon L40, SB-4A, and Knelson CVD6—in upgrading fine coal by reducing ash and sulfur content to enhance calorific value. Laboratory and pilot-scale tests on coal samples from Tweefontein and Khwezela collieries showed that all concentrators significantly reduced ash content, with desliming proving crucial for performance. The KC-MD3 achieved the best results, lowering ash from 35.2% to 18.47% and sulfur from 0.68% to 0.36%, while increasing calorific value. Pilot tests on the Knelson CVD6 demonstrated its versatility, though optimization challenges remained. The findings highlight the potential of centrifugal concentrators in coal upgrading and waste reclamation, emphasizing the need for further parameter optimization and scale-up for industrial feasibility.
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