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Typeset by Newgen Knowledge Works Pvt Ltd, India Printed by Lightning Source © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013 Contents Contributor contact details xiii Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy xvii Foreword xxiii Preface xxv Professor Peter Feč ko xxix Part I Introduction and coal characterization 1 1 Industrial uses of coal 3 D. G. Osborne, Xstrata Technology, Australia, and S. K. Gupta, University of New South Wales, Australia 1.1 Introduction 3 1.2 Coal use in the power generation industry 9 1.3 Coal use in the steel industry 15 1.4 Coal use in the cement industry 22 1.5 Coal conversion and other industries 24 1.6 In situ gasifi cation 28 1.7 Conclusion 29 1.8 Bibliography 29 2 Coal formation 31 B.J. Arnold, PrepTech, Inc., USA 2.1 Introduction 31 2.2 Coal formation 32 2.3 Coal types 35 2.4 Differences in coalifi cation history 36 2.5 Coal properties and standards for coal classifi cation systems 44 2.6 Sources of further information and advice 50 2.7 Future trends 50 2.8 References 51 v © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013 vi Contents 3 Coal petrography 53 R. Falcon, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa 3.1 Introduction 53 3.2 Macerals and minerals in coal 55 3.3 Lithotypes, microlithotypes and abnormal conditions found in coal 67 3.4 The impact of petrographic characteristics on the technological properties of coal 71 3.5 Development of modern techniques in coal petrographic analysis 77 3.6 Conclusion 79 3.7 Bibliography 79 4 Coal resources and reserves 80 L. P. Thomas, Dargo Associates Ltd, UK 4.1 Introduction 80 4.2 Classifi cation of coal resources and reserves 81 4.3 Calculation of coal resources and reserves 97 4.4 Reporting of coal resources and reserves 101 4.5 World coal reserves 103 4.6 Future trends 105 4.7 References 105 5 Coal sampling 107 W. Membrey, ALS Ltd, Australia 5.1 Introduction 107 5.2 Accounting for heterogeneity in coal sampling 109 5.3 Other principles of sampling 119 5.4 Types of sampling system 127 5.5 Sample preparation 140 5.6 Future trends 147 5.7 Conclusion 148 5.8 References 149 6 Coal analysis 151 K. Miller, ALS Ltd, Australia 6.1 Introduction 151 6.2 Typical metallurgical (coking) and thermal coal tests 153 6.3 Proximate analysis 155 6.4 Sulfur 161 © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013 Contents vii 6.5 Calorifi c value 163 6.6 Ultimate analysis 164 6.7 Carbonate carbon 165 6.8 Common thermal coal tests 165 6.9 Common coking coal tests 171 6.10 Petrographic analysis 176 6.11 Further considerations and future trends 179 6.12 Appendix: standards for coal quality evaluation 180 Part II Coal extraction and preparation 191 7 Advances in coal mining technology 193 L. Lien, United Finance and Management Services, USA 7.1 Introduction 193 7.2 Coal extraction methods 196 7.3 Advances in mining technology 201 7.4 Systems and information 210 7.5 Automation in practice 214 7.6 Future trends and conclusions 220 7.7 References 223 8 Underground coal gasifi cation 226 S. Lavis, R.Courtney and M. Mostade, Clean Coal Ltd, UK 8.1 Introduction 226 8.2 Lessons learnt from previous trials 227 8.3 Impact of new technologies 233 8.4 Current trends 235 8.5 Conclusion and future trends 236 8.6 References 237 9 Coal comminution and sizing 240 T. C. Eisele, H. J. Walqui, and S. K. Kawatra, Michigan Technological University, USA 9.1 Introduction 240 9.2 Coal breakers, crushers and sizers 240 9.3 Coal sizing: an introduction 250 9.4 Coal screening and classifi cation 251 9.5 Conclusion 261 9.6 References 261 © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013 viii Contents 10 Cleaning of coarse and small coal 2 63 K. P. Galvin and S. M. Iveson, University of Newcastle, Australia 10.1 Introduction 263 10.2 Theory 267 10.3 Dense medium separation 273 10.4 Wet gravity separation 287 10.5 Dry separation 290 10.6 Conclusion and future trends 295 10.7 Sources of further information and advice 296 10.8 References 297 11 Cleaning of fi ne and ultrafi ne coal 301 R. Q. Honaker, University of Kentucky, USA, J. Kohmuench, Eriez Manufacturing, USA, and G. H. Luttrell, Virginia Tech, USA 11.1 Introduction 301 11.2 Fine gravity separators 305 11.3 Froth fl otation technologies and circuit variations 323 11.4 Dry fi ne coal separations 338 11.5 Future trends 342 11.6 References 343 12 Surface chemistry fundamentals in fi ne coal processing 347 J. S. Laskowski, University of British Columbia, Canada 12.1 Surface properties of coal 347 12.2 Coal fl otation 351 12.3 Solid–liquid separation 360 12.4 Fine coal handleability 382 12.5 Rheology effects in fi ne coal processing 387 12.6 References 413 13 Solid–liquid separation technologies for coal 422 G. Bickert, GBL Process, Australia 13.1 Introduction 422 13.2 Overview of solid–liquid separation (SLS) 423 13.3 Pre-treatment 424 © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013 Contents ix 13.4 Centrifugal SLS 425 13.5 Vacuum fi ltration 428 13.6 Pressure fi ltration 429 13.7 Thermal drying 432 13.8 SLS equipment selection 433 13.9 Emerging and future trends 437 13.10 Conclusion 441 13.11 Sources of further information and advice 441 13.12 References 441 14 Economic factors affecting coal preparation: plant design worldwide and case studies illustrating economic impact 445 P. J. Bethell, Arch Coal Inc., USA 14.1 Introduction 445 14.2 Current steam coal circuit design 445 14.3 Current metallurgical coal circuit design 450 14.4 Case studies 453 14.5 Poorly liberated coal 458 14.6 Water constrained plants 461 14.7 Future trends 465 14.8 References 466 15 Post-treatment of coal 467 A. Vince, Elsa Consulting Group Pty Ltd, Australia 15.1 Introduction 467 15.2 Estimating required liberation size 470 15.3 Milling coal for liberation 473 15.4 Chemically treating raw coal for liberation 481 15.5 Benefi ciation 484 15.6 Chemical cleaning 498 15.7 Dewatering 500 15.8 Drying 504 15.9 Separation of clays 513 15.10 Other technologies 515 15.11 Acknowledgements 524 15.12 References 524 15.13 Appendix: Nomenclature and abbreviations used 528 © Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2013