Evaluation of a Turkish Lignite Coal Cleaning by Conventional and Enhanced Gravity Separation Techniques

The use of low-rank coals as an energy source may cause environmental problems. Washability of a Turkish lignite sample was evaluated by conventional methods with sink-and-float tests and a Reichert spiral. Also, the fine size fractions were cleaned with enhanced gravity separation techniques, a multigravity separator (MGS), and a Falcon concentrator. The as-received lignite sample was sieved into five size fractions (-100 +25.4 mm; -25.4 +12.7 mm; -12.7 +1.2 mm; -1.2 +0.15 mm; -0.15 mm) and the washability characteristics of the first three fractions were separately investigated with sink-float tests. The -1.2 +0.15 mm size fraction was cleaned using a Reichert spiral. Tests with the MGS and the Falcon concentrator were conducted with a -0.15 mm fine size fraction. Sink-float tests results showed that the tested coal can be classified as difficult-to-clean coal due to the presence of high near-gravity material at lower separation densities than 1.7 g/cm(3). However, the production of cleaner coal was easier at finer size fractions due to further liberation. Enhanced gravity separation techniques presented better results in terms of combustible recoveries.