Abstract
Hard coal is an important source of energy worldwide. Owing to the imperfections of excavation technology, most run-of-mine coals must be processed before they can be utilised as fuel. In this study, tests on the dry separation process were performed with numerous different raw hard coal and coal waste material samples, using a newly designed and constructed negative-pressure pneumatic separator (NPPS). The experiments revealed the effects of the feed-material properties and material processing conditions. These experiments were preceded by additional tests for evaluating the influence of each device operating parameter on the process, to determine the optimal method of supplying the feed material. The calorific value of the processed materials was improved by 5%–40%, while a minimal output yield of products (60%–70%) was maintained. The trials indicated that in coal material processing, the developed NPPS can be used for not only raw coal enrichment but also coal recovery from materials stored at coal-waste dumps. The main advantages of the device are its mobility, low material processing cost, and lack of water consumption during operation.Graphic abstract
Highlights
Coal plays an important role in satisfying global energy demands, because it is widely available, safe, reliable, and inexpensive (World Energy Council 2013)
Tests on the dry separation process were performed with numerous different raw hard coal and coal waste material samples, using a newly designed and constructed negative-pressure pneumatic separator (NPPS)
Because the observed effect of the fan speed was similar for all the materials processed, the results presented in this part cover only the tests performed on feed material No 1
Summary
Coal plays an important role in satisfying global energy demands, because it is widely available, safe, reliable, and inexpensive (World Energy Council 2013). Despite the rapid development of renewable energy technologies, fossil fuels remain dominant source of energy, with coal being the second-largest energy source worldwide (US Department of Energy 2016). According to forecasts, coal consumption will remain at the current level at least until 2040 (US Department of Energy 2017). Coal is a crucial resource for the security of energy supply in developed countries, and it is a key enabler for economic growth in developing countries (World Energy Council 2016). The use of coal raises ecological concerns. The ecological impact of coal use is determined by the combustion technology and the preceding operations, such as excavation, coal processing, and transport
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