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Virginia Tech

Evaluation of an advanced fine coal cleaning circuit

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A new fine-coal cleaning circuit, with potential near-term applications, has been evaluated for treating fine coal (i.e., 28 mesh x 0). This circuit combines a surface-based separator known as Microcel™ column flotation with an enhanced gravity separator known as the Multi-Gravity Separator (MGS). The synergistic effect of combining both processes in a single circuit resulted in improved ash and pyritic sulfur rejection with minimal losses in energy recovery. In addition, technical and economic analyses of this processing scheme suggest it compares favorably with existing post-combustion desulfurization techniques. A detailed study of the MGS included the development of a model based on fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and mineral processing. The theoretical analyses identified drum speed as the most important MGS operating parameter. To validate these findings, a detailed parametric test program was conducted using coal samples from the Pittsburgh No. 8 and Illinois No. 6 seams. A statistical analysis of the test data also showed that drum speed was the most important variable in controlling the performance of the MGS. The other controlling parameters, i.e., feed percent solids, feed rate and wash-water addition rate, were found to be of lesser importance. The experimental test results were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions obtained using the model.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mining and Minerals Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mining and Minerals Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1996

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Venkatraman, Parthasarathy
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Luttrell, Gerald
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Yoon, Roe-Hoan
  • Adel, Gregory T.
  • Mankosa, Michael J.
  • Rimmer, Hugh W.

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-06062008-151142
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/37986

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Venkatraman, Parthasarathy. Evaluation of an advanced fine coal cleaning circuit. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/37986