Computer simulation model for coal preparation plant design and control. Special research report Number SR-102

Technical Report · Wed Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7284446

Walters, A D; Ramani, R V; Stefanko, R

In order to study the effect of various parameters on the efficiency of the operation, a computer model was developed to simulate a coal preparation operation consisting of blending of raw coal, screening and dense medium separation. To quantify the efficiency of the gravity separation, three criteria have been used, namely: Organic efficiency (effect of raw coal characteristics); probable error (effect of the cleaning unit); and economic efficiency (effect of the product selling price). To calculate the predicted yield from a dense medium separation, it is necessary to apply distribution factors from a distribution curve to the raw coal washability data. This presents problems from two aspects: The shape of the curve varies with the specific gravity of the separation; and the representation of the curve in computer form so that interpolation between known points is possible. The main application of the model was the optimization of the overall yield from two size fractions to produce a combined washed coal fraction of a given quality. Other applications are suggested.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Dept. of Mineral Engineering
• OSTI ID: 7284446
• Report Number(s): NP-22636
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL
CLEANING
COAL PREPARATION PLANTS
CONTROL
DESIGN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
COMPUTER CODES
LINEAR PROGRAMMING
OPTIMIZATION
W CODES
YIELDS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ECONOMETRICS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
013000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Transport
Handling
& Storage