An Integrated Process for Recovery of Coal Fines from Waste Streams

40084 Mineral Technologies International, Inc. This project will demonstrate the technical and economical potential of an integrated process for fine coal recovery as well as for dewatering the clean coal product and briquetting it. A binding agent will be used as a collector in the packed column flotation The approach will unify three consecutive fine coal operations into a compact processing system with a significant overall cost saving. The project will explore the commercial prospect of the proposed system by producing easily handled premium coal fuel from the selected samples; determine optimum conditions for achieving high yield with maximum ash and pyritic sulfur rejections; evaluate the clean coal product for its caking property; and establish scale-up procedures for further development toward commercial implementation. Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: If successful, the integrated process should enhance industrial utilization of the most advanced packed column coal cleaning technology. Specific results will include the development of a cost effective process for the removal of pyritic sulfur and mineral matter from coal refuse. The proposed approach has many potential benefits in commercial applications for reclaiming useful Btu values from waste streams.