The development of new Microcel{trademark} column flotation circuit for BHP Australia coal`s peak downs coal preparation plant
- BHP Australia Coal Pty. Ltd., Moranbah (Australia)
In Australia`s Bowen Basin coal preparation plants, twenty-five years of development work on conventional sub-eration flotation machines have resulted in optimized circuit design, the application of customized reagents, optimal conditioning practice, increased mechanical reliability and enhanced control systems. In recent years, world-wide research has shown the potential for a quantum leap above existing flotation performance through new technology. The 2,000 tph Peak Downs Coal Preparation Plant, managed by BHP Australia Coal, is Australia`s largest. The plant produces prime coking coal through dense medium cyclones and froth flotation. The paper describes on-line pilot scale testing of three different novel flotation devices. After extensive pilot testing, the Microcel{trademark} Column supplied by Bulk Materials (Coal Handling) Pty Ltd (BMCH) was chosen by Peak Downs Mine for full scale plant trials over a nine-month period. The Microcel{trademark} demonstrated dramatically improved product quality through very effective froth washing, improved product yields, and the ability to recover 500 micron x 0 coal efficiently in one machine in a single pass. Performance was predictable, reproducible and controllable in that changing frothier dose alone moved the separation along an ash/yield curve which equaled release analysis results. The research program led to the design and construction of a full plant installation which was commissioned in September, 1995. Commissioning a breakthrough design treating minus 50 micron coal was not without its difficulties, and the practical problems of implementing such new technology into a full scale-circuit is discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 414927
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960460-; TRN: 96:004651-0019
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Coal Prep `96 exhibition and conference, Lexington, KY (United States), 30 Apr - 2 May 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Coal prep 96; PB: 314 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Microcel{trademark} flotation technology in the international marketplace
Froth flotation for fine-coal cleaning. Final report