ArdeeSort – Next Generation Coal Dry Beneficiation Technology

Abstract

Coal is the cheapest energy source. However, it has an image issue of being a dirty fuel, which needs to be addressed. While coal washing to bring down ash levels is being taken up in most parts of the world, washing per se, pitches the industry against rest of society in water-challenged communities, especially against the farming sector. Further, coal is seen as a conservative industry which is not sensitive to societal perceptions of its impact on society or environment and keeps doing business-as-usual. This perception needs to be reversed or there is likelihood of the industry facing punitive measures which will make survival difficult. Out-of-the-box solutions are required to improve coal quality in an environment-friendly manner. Dry beneficiation of coal, is one such small step which is immediately achievable. Within the family of dry beneficiation methods, recent technologies like ArdeeSort have emerged as game changers which apart from improving the techno-economic efficiency of coal beneficiation without use of water, have made clean coal process very affordable.