State-of-the-art assessment of coal preparation plant automation. [USA]

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5521063

Allgood, G O; Anderson, R L; Andrews, W H

As the basis for a continuing program to optimize the performance of coal preparation plants through the application of modern instrumentation and controls technology, the state of the art in the industry was assessed. Coal preparation literature was surveyed comprehensively, coal preparation facilities were visited, and discussions were held with workers in the industry. The objective was to determine the feasibility of and need for increased automation, to identify areas where instrument development is needed, and to analyze characteristics of the coal industry relevant to further automation. The salient conclusions of the study are: (1) the coal preparation industry in the United States derives little of the benefit available from instrumentation and controls technology, (2) rapid recovery of capital investment will result from automation, (3) an appreciable savings of a valuable energy resource can be effected through the orderly development of an automation program. Benefits due to improvements in control of coal preparation plants include: an increased yield of clean coal, a reduced coal content in plant refuse, lower operating costs, lower equipment maintenance costs, and an improved ability to meet contract specifications.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5521063
• Report Number(s): ORNL-5699; ON: DE82011296
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
013000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ASHES
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
AUTOMATION
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
COAL PREPARATION PLANTS
COAL RANK
COAL RESERVES
COMMINUTION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
CONCENTRATORS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
CYCLONE SEPARATORS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DRYERS
EASTERN EUROPE
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
EUROPE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FILTERS
FLOCCULATION
FLOTATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAVY MEDIA SEPARATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INERTIAL SEPARATORS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
JIGS
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXING
MONITORING
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ON-LINE CONTROL SYSTEMS
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLAND
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
PRECIPITATION
RADIATIONS
RECYCLING
REMOVAL
RESERVES
RESIDUES
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
RESOURCES
SCREENS
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TABLES
TRANSPORT
UNITED KINGDOM
USA
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER REMOVAL
WESTERN EUROPE