Pilot-scale testing of microbubble flotation
The main objective of this project was to demonstrate the microbubble column flotation process in a process development unit (PDU). In order to accomplish this task, the project was divided into several different stages. The first involved continuous bench-scale testing in order to identify the operating parameters which most strongly influence column performance. These included feed rate, countercurrent wash water rate, aeration rate, frother addition, collector addition and froth depth. Several tests were also conducted using different feed particle size distributions. Based on the results from these tests, several PDU-scale columns were designed and constructed. The second stage consisted of testing of the PDU-scale columns for the purpose of: (i) demonstrating the feasibility of the microbubble flotation process for producing superclean coal, (ii) demonstrating the ability of the microbubble column to process refuse streams (i.e., cyclone overflow material), (iii) comparison with conventional techniques for coarse coal flotation, and (iv) collecting scale-up data for the design of commercial-scale columns. Detailed results from each of these series of tests are presented. In the final stage of this work a comprehensive scale-up procedure was developed based on the fundamental principles of flotation. Expressions were developed which describe the flotation rate constant, mean retention time, fractional air hold-up and column mixing. These relationships were incorporated into a scale-up procedure based on known principles of chemical engineering reactor design. PDU-scale test results were used to validate the scale-up procedure. 95 refs., 141 figs., 23 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Virginia Center for Coal and Minerals Processing, Blacksburg, VA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-86PC91274
- OSTI ID:
- 5993969
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/91274-T1; ON: DE91008418
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PDU-scale testing of microbubble flotation
Pilot-scale testing of microbubble flotation
Related Subjects
BITUMINOUS COAL
FLOTATION
COAL PREPARATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ADDITIVES
AERATION
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
BUBBLES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL PREPARATION PLANTS
CYCLONE SEPARATORS
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DEASHING
DESIGN
LIQUID FLOW
LOADING RATE
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PARTICLE SIZE
PILOT PLANTS
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
PROGRESS REPORT
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SURFACTANTS
WATER
WETTABILITY
BLACK COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
CONCENTRATORS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUID FLOW
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INERTIAL SEPARATORS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIZE
TESTING
010300* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Preparation- (1987-)