Combining flotation and enhanced gravity separation for improved ash and sulfur rejection
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States). Center for Coal and Minerals Processing
- USDOE Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, PA (United States)
Surface-based processes, such as froth flotation, are known to be inefficient for removing pyrite from coal. To overcome this problem, a new processing scheme was developed at Virginia Tech which uses froth flotation in combination with a centrifugal gravity concentrator. Froth flotation is used to remove ash-forming minerals such as clay, while the centrifugal gravity concentrator is used to reject high density composite particles containing pyrite. Recent test data show that this approach can nearly double the rejection of pyritic sulfur with minimal loss in energy recovery. The circuit allows efficient separations to be achieved without finely pulverizing the feed coal, thereby minimizing costs associated with grinding and dewatering. This article discusses the basic principles of this new circuit and provides test results obtained from recent pilot-scale evaluations at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC).
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-92PC92205
- OSTI ID:
- 51989
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940930--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Fine coal cleaning using the multi-gravity separator
Precombustion desulfurization using Microcel{trademark} and multi-gravity separator