Desulfurization and deashing of a mixture of subbituminous coal and gangue minerals by selective oil agglomeration

Minerals & Metallurgical Processing , 2009, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 203-207

Ayhan, F.D.

ABSTRACT:

The aim of this study was to investigate desulfurization and deashing of a mixture of subbituminous coal and gangue minerals by the agglomeration method. For this purpose, experimental studies were conducted on a mixture containing subbituminous coal, pyrite, quartz and calcite. The effects of some parameters that markedly influence the effectiveness of selective oil agglomeration, such as solid concentration, pH, bridging liquid type and concentration, and depressant type and amount, were investigated. Agglomeration results showed that the usage of various depressants (Na₂SiO₃, FeCI₃, corn starch, wheat starch) in the agglomeration medium has a positive effect on the reduction of ash and total sulfur content of agglomerates. It was found that an agglomerate product containing 3.03% total sulfur and 25.01% ash with a total sulfur reduction of 56.71% was obtained from a feed that contained 7% total sulfur and 43.58% ash when FeCI3 was used in the agglomeration medium.