Microbially augmented ash and pyrite physical separation (MAAPPS): Quarterly report, September 1, 1986-November 30, 1986
The overall objective of this research is to optimize the MAAPPS process to clean finely ground coal to less than or equal to 1% ash and less than or equal to 0.5% pyritic sulfur. The MAAPPS process uses a microbial surfactant which selectively increases the hydrophilicity of ash and pyrite, thereby enhancing separation and removal of these contaminants during flotation. In experiment No. 3, good cleaning of the coal was achieved without pretreatment of the coal. Sulfur and ash levels were generally equivalent to those obtained following pretreatment in experiment No. 2. Results of experiment No. 4 confirm the results obtained in experiment No. 2. Significant decreases in sulfur and ash were noted when the coal was pretreated with the ''cell-free'' media. Yields were good, with Btu recoveries near 80%, with pyritic sulfur decreases of about 60%, and with ash reduction of 67%. Results of these experiments are preliminary and do not represent optimized conditions for ash and sulfur removal. The lack of enhanced rejection of ash and sulfur in coal pretreated with concentrated microrganisms could be the direct result of bacterial stress or injury during concentration or, more likely, the result of separating the microbial surfactant from the biomass. The enhanced rejection of ash and pyrite following treatment with the surfactant (no microbes) indicates that this surfactant may be the active material producing the desired MAAPPS effect during flotation. 10 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Atlantic Research Corp., Alexandria, VA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-85PC81208
- OSTI ID:
- 6989511
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/81208-T1; ON: DE87003882
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
010402* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Purification & Upgrading
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
COAL
COMMINUTION
DEASHING
DESULFURIZATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLOTATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GRINDING
MACHINING
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
SURFACTANTS
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS