Environmental assessment of coal cleaning processes: technology overview

Abstract

This report reviews US coal cleaning process technologies and related technologies for environmental control. It provides a background against which requirements for further developments of coal cleaning technology and control techniques for the associated pollutants can be established. The state of the art of physical coal cleaning is summarized. The status of coal cleaning technology is summarized with respect to cost, energy efficiency, applicability, extent of development, and commercialization prospects. Current technologies are described. The various physical coal cleaning operations necessary to produce systems capable of producing minimum, intermediate, and maximum effectiveness of coal cleaning are discussed. The coverage of the subject is felt to be complete in the sense that all applications of the technology and all potentially polluting discharges have been considered. The report does not, however, present detailed information on composition of discharges, control technologies, economics, and the like. It is designed for use in development of programs and studies needed to quantify potential pollution control problems, prioritize environmental protection needs, and related activities. It was felt that inclusion of all background data would detract from, rather than enhance, its usefulness for broad analysis. For those needing more detailed information, references to background documents have been supplied.