Investigation of optimal falcon parameters for clean asphaltite concentrate

Abstract

ABSTRACT Asphaltite is a solid fuel formed due to the metamorphism of oil separated from its reserves by tectonic movements. The most critical components that determine solid fuel quality are ash and sulfur. Proximate and ultimate analyses were performed to determine asphaltite’s ash and sulfur content. The ash content was 45.16%, and the sulfur content was 5.81%. Ash and sulfur in asphaltite are generally very fine-grained disseminated. Therefore, it is complicated to remove the asphaltite. This study aimed to remove asphaltite’s ash and sulfur content with Falcon Concentrator. In the experiments, the solid rate of 30% and the feed rate of 1.5 L/min were kept constant. The effects of different particle sizes, various centrifugal forces, and different water pressure on ash and sulfur removal were investigated. Combustible and separation efficiencies ash and sulfur removal efficiencies were calculated for each concentrate. Optimum ash (24.26%) and sulfur (2.74%) contents were obtained in −150 µm particle size, 3 psi water pressure, and 300 G centrifugal force. It was determined that the feed’s higher heating value of 4426 kcal/kg increased to 5708 kcal/kg in the clean asphaltite. It was concluded that the Falcon concentrator effectively reduced asphaltite’s ash and sulfur content.