Evaluation of the washability characteristics of Khushab coal (Pakistani) by heavy media separation process

Abstract

The use of high-sulfur Pakistani coals can cause serious problems of slagging and fouling in thermochemical conversion reactors along with environmental issues like acid rain, etc. In this study, a pre-combustion technique, namely heavy media separation, is employed for the cleaning of low-grade Pakistani coal. Six crushed coal samples of different particle sizes were individually subjected to heavy media solutions of ZnCl2 of different specific gravities. It was found that the sample with a particle size of −6.25+4 mm at specific gravity of 1.4 produced the optimum float product as clean coal, showing 83.53% yield of clean coal with 1.24% ash and 1.0% sulfur contents. An overall reduction of 91.68% in ash and 86.11% sulfur contents was obtained. Moreover, up to 19.3% enhancement of gross calorific value was achieved. The resultant clean coal can be used in various energy recovery schemes in Pakistan such as coal-fired power plants and cement industries.