skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Hydrocyclone separation of coal refuse fines

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5236592

The following conclusions are drawn from the research reported herein: (1) The experimental hydrocyclone apparatus, designed to allow control of the vortex finder length, overflow diameter, underflow diameter, cone angle, and inlet flow rate, is a suitable system for determining the effect of each variable stated on the washing of coal refuse fines. (2) Color-coded spheres of different diameters and specific gravities correlate well as a model of coal refuse fines in the range of 0.0937 inches and larger, insofar as their size and density responding to hydrocyclone separation. (3) Data taken on two experimental systems, using coal refuse fines samples from a gob pile, verify the dimensional analysis by their good correlation. The data collected can be assumed as a guide to geometrically similar hydrocyclones of different sizes. (4) The concentration of solids used during this work was not investigated but is considered a variable of importance in application. (5) Using the experimental hydrocyclone system and spheres along with the concepts of dimensional analysis and similitude, design curves can be generated showing the effect of each parameter on specific gravity separation. (6) Based on the guidance of the design curves, and confirmed by experimentation, a hydrocyclone configuration is recommended for separation of coal refuse fines. (7) Small changes in the vortex finder length causes significant changes in the specific gravity of solids reporting to the overflow. (8) Gob should be pre-screened to remove clay. At that time the undersize material should be sent to a settling pond to be handled as settling pond fines if handled any more at all. 22 references, 44 figures, 16 tables.

Research Organization:
Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale (USA). Dept. of Engineering Mechanics and Materials
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-81PC40807
OSTI ID:
5236592
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/40807-T9; ON: DE84010077
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Thesis
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English