Conversion of low value coal fines and low rank coals into higher value products through binderless briquetting

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:324694

Clark, K N; Chao, C ^[1]; Kalb, G W ^[2]

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1. CSIRO (Australia). Div. of Coal and Energy
2. Tra-Det Inc., WV (United States)

Whether it be the need to reduce the moisture and handling problems associated with fine bituminous coals or the need to overcome fine coal and handling problems associated with the drying of sub-bituminous coals an effective and low cost solution may be available through the development of the low temperature binderless briquetting technology. Briquetting of the coal fines has generally been seen as an unsatisfactory solution to problems associated with coal fines or improving sub-bituminous coal`s marketability with high production costs and a product which frequently broke down as a result of handling and weathering. An analysis of the problem shows that the binders are the single feature most responsible for the failure of briquetting to be acceptable. Binderless briquetting has been demonstrated, at both the laboratory and pilot scale, to be able to agglomerate coals ranging from sub-bituminous through to semi-anthracite. For bituminous coking coals the key features of the binderless briquetting product are: Good handling properties, i.e., strength and abrasion resistance; Low moisture readsorption; and Retention of chemical and coking properties. For sub-bituminous coals the key features of the binderless briquetting product are: Good handling properties; Good weathering resistance; Reduced spontaneous combustion; Long term physical stability; No change to chemical properties; and Excellent thermal shock resistance. The total production cost of binderless briquettes falls in the range of $8.00/tonne to $12.00/tonne including labor and capital costs which are substantially less than binder type processes.

• OSTI ID: 324694
• Report Number(s): CONF-970931--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BITUMINOUS COAL
BRIQUETS
BRIQUETTING
COAL FINES
COAL PREPARATION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL