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Coal Preparation                                  reports

Coal Preparation

Maintenance, improved recovery and plant capacity are our key coal preparation strategies. Work is focused on maximising yield, reducing production costs, minimising emissions, reducing water consumption and the use of lower quality water without adversely impacting on process efficiency.


Fine Coal (89 Reports)

Cyclo-Flotation for Fine and Ultrafine Coal Cleaning

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C301230/10/1994
Author: Philip Ofori, Bruce Firth | CSIRO Energy Technology

This project has established the potential of an advanced flotation process unit for cleaning fine and ultrafine coal, based on the superimposition of the centrifugal flow characteristics of the hydrocyclone on the flotation process. The sub-processes  ....  read more

 

Coal Flotation in a Centrifugal Machine

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C303616/04/1996
Author: Steve Blanshard, Bruce Atkinson | Tunra Limited (University of Newcastle)

The aims of the project were:

  • to develop a new type of flotation machine for the beneficiation of fine coal particles
  • to test and demonstrate the machine by applying it to the flotation of coal in selected operating preparation plants
 ....  read more

 

Fine Coal Classification

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C308401/02/1999
Author: Bruce Firth, Michael O'Brien, Darren Edward, Chris Clarkson | CSIRO Energy Technology, C Clarkson & Associates

This project formed part of a major program under the CMTE, with the overall objective of enhancing coal recovery by developing new or improved technology for fine coal  ....  read more

 

Turboflotation

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C4045-C544501/08/1996
Author: P Ofori, Bruce Firth | CSIRO Energy Technology

Froth flotation is currently the most widely used method for fine particle processing but the capital and operating costs are high. This is mainly due to the use of the force of  ....  read more

 

Coal Flotation Technical Review

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C404701/03/1996
Author: Joe Sanders, Mike Williamson | Coalproc, M & J Coal Consulting

In a simplistic view, the conerstone of the emerging new flotation technology is the fineness of air bubbles. In contrast with the mechanically agitated cells new technology may be termed collectively as 'microbubble flotation'.

Amongst the ....  read more

 

Development of Automatic Control Techniques for New Flotation Technologies

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C505001/04/1999
Author: Anne Lahey, Chris Clarkson | C Clarkson and Associates

The primary objective of this project was to develop practical process control procedures to automate and optimise the new flotation technologies using currently available equipment.

This was achieved by fulfilling a series of secondary objectives, which included a study of ....  read more

 

On-Line Vision Based Instrument to Measure Coal Flotation Froth Properties

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C604301/10/1999
Author: Khoi Nguyen, Peter Holtham | JKMRC

Researchers have developed an on-line, vision-based prototype instrument to measure coal flotation froth properties.

Traditionally, optimal metallurgical performance in coal flotation circuits has been difficult to achieve due to the wide variety of ....  read more

 

Improved Measure of Ultimate Flotation Performance

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C604401/10/1999
Author: Bruce Atkinson, Steve Blanshard | Jetflote

This project was concerned with the development and validation of an improved laboratory flotation test designed to "fingerprint" the ultimate flotation performance that can be achieved for a particular coal feed. It is important to note that the aim was to measure a ....  read more

 

Evaluation of Residual Frother from Column Flotation Circuits

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C604501/05/1999
Author: Anne Lahey, Chris Clarkson | C Clarkson and Associates

The major objectives of this project were to develop a technique for measurement of residual frother in plant streams and to determine the mechanisms by which residual frother is adsorbed and transported through the plant circuits.

The current trend in coal flotation is towards ....  read more

 

Investigation into the Performance of Large Diameter Classifying Cyclones

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C604701/06/2000
Author: Mike O'Brien, Andrew Taylor, D Nemeth, Bruce Firth, Chris Clarkson | CMTE

Thisproject conducted an evaluation of the improvement in the sizeseparation step between 0.1 and 0.4mm, using a 1m diameter classifyingcyclone. This has potential advantages over traditional designs,in reduced capital and maintenance costs, simpler plant layout,and elimination of ....  read more

 

Potential for Reagent Consumption Reduction and Flotation Yield Enhancement Through In-Situ Picobubble Generation

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C704001/06/1999
Author: Moetaz Attalla, Clement Chao, Stuart Nicol | CSIRO Energy Technology, Novatech Consulting

Evidence is presented which illustrates that subjecting coal flotation feed to ultrasonic radiation can result in yield improvements of the order of 15%. The effect is most marked with coals containing large amounts of material in the - 0.05 mm size range. This type of size ....  read more

 

Froth Washing in Mechanical Cells

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C704101/05/2001
Author: Bruce Atkinson, Noel Lambert, Graeme Jameson | University of Newcastle, OJK Technology, TUNRA

The objectives of this project were:

  • To demonstrate the effectiveness of froth washing on full-scale conventional flotation cells.
  • To develop design parameters for installation to any mechanical flotation bank.

Froth washing is used in mineral flotation ....  read more

 

Optimisation of Fine Coal Flotation

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C704201/01/2002
Author: Peter Holtham, Aaron Power | JKMRC, University of Queensland

This project's objective was to assess the applicability of the flotation rate constant-bubble surface area flux (k-Sb) relationship to describe coal flotation, and its use as a means of characterising and optimising fine coal flotation (irrespective of cell technology).

Site work was ....  read more

 

Turboflotation Scale-Up - Stage 2

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C804301/10/2001
Author: Philip Ofoir, Bruce Firth, A Taylor, Mike O'Brien, M Munro | CSIRO Energy Technology

The overall objective of the TurboFlotation project was the development of an inexpensive compact process based on centrifugally enhanced flotation, capable of reducing the material residence time by an order of magnitude. The project was conducted jointly by the CSIRO Energy Technology Coal ....  read more

 

Floating Larger Particles - Stage 1

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C904601/10/2000
Author: Graeme Jameson | University of Newcastle, TUNRA

This project is aimed at the development of methods and equipment for the recovery of coal particles by flotation, focussing on sizes up to 1 mm, with possible extension to a top size of 2 mm.

The project is based on the idea that the best way to process a flotation feed containing a ....  read more

 

Enhanced Coal Flotation using Picobubbles

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C904801/09/2002
Author: Glenn Hart, S Morgan, N Bramall, Stuart Nicol | CSIRO Energy Technology, Novatech Consulting

The objective of this project was to provide a simple retrofittable device to enhance the flotation behaviour of poorly floating coals. A device capable of inducing cavitation in flotation feed generates very small "picobubbles" on the surface of coal particles, which have a greater affinity ....  read more

 

480mm JKCC Study at Dartbrook CHPP and in the JKMRC Pilot Plant

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C1000401/05/2004
Author: Richard Rong | JKMRC, University of Qld

A 480mm-diameter novel classifying cyclone, known as the JKCC, was tested at Dartbrook Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) to assess its performance in an industrial environment. The JKCC was installed in a primary CC bank and operated together with other 480mm commercial CCs. The ....  read more

 

Development of a New Method to Determine the Ultimate Flotation Response Curve of a Coal

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C1004401/12/2003
Author: Graeme Jameson, Trent Moorman, Tim Hunter, Seher Ata | University of Newcastle, TUNRA

The objective of this project was to develop a new test to determine the ultimate flotation response curve. The current method for doing so is known as a Tree Analysis Test and is covered by Australian Standard 4156.2.2 - 1998(1).

The effect of collector concentration, frother ....  read more

 

Improving the Monitoring and Control of Flotation Systems: Stages 1 and 2

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C1004701/11/2007
Author: Shenggen Hu, Philip Ofori, Bruce Firth, Adrian Burger, Mike O'Brien | CSIRO Energy Technology

The overall objective of this project was to develop an effective and inexpensive on-line monitoring system for the improved monitoring and control of fine coal flotation processes.

STAGE ONE REPORT

The specific aims of stage 1 are to investigate how the electrical ....  read more

 

Small Coal Washability by Water Fluidisation

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C1005001/07/2002
Author: Kevin Glavin | TUNRA, University of Newcastle

Galvin and Pratten (1999) have previously reported the technique of utilizing the density segregation effect of a narrow size range of particles in a fluidised bed to determine  ....  read more

 

Aerosol Frother Addition in Coal Flotation

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C1100701/10/2003
Author: Philip Ofori, Bruce Firth, Andrew Taylor | CSIRO Energy Technology

A frother is traditionally added to the flotation feed slurry prior to the introduction of air. There is the possibility of the frother being added to the gas-phase as an aerosol rather than via direct addition to the slurry. This is an approach which has received very little attention in ....  read more

 

Investigation of the Reflux Classifier for Density and Size Separations from Pilot to Full-Scale

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C1100801/04/2004
Author: Kevin Galvin, J Zhou, BD Belcher, SJ Pratten, AM Callen, Noel Lambert, and G Nguyentranlam | TUNRA, University of Newcastle

The Reflux Classifier is a new device for separating particles on the basis of either density or size. Water flows up through a distributor plate at the base, suspending particles within the vessel. A set of parallel inclined plates amplifies the segregation rates of the particles, ....  read more

 

Integrated Processes for Fine Coal Treatment

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C1106801/07/2006
Author: Graeme Jameson, Bruce Atkinson, JeffEuston | University of Newcastle

The construction and operation of an 80m3/hr flotation demonstration plant is described. The hypothesis that coal particles as coarse as 2mm can be effectively treated by froth flotation has been demonstrated on a plant scale. Excellent yields and combustible recoveries were achieved by ....  read more

 

Scale-Up of Coal Flotation Using Picobubbles

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C1204901/10/2004
Author: Glenn Hart, P Townsend, S Morgan, P Morgan, Brucde Firth | CSIRO Energy Technology

The use of cavitation to enhance the flotation of minerals and coal has been studied over a number of years. Nicol et al. (1986) reported that the use of a superimposed acoustic field nucleated precipitation of extremely small air bubbles (picobubbles) on the surface ....  read more

 

Design and Operating Data for Fines Treatment

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C1205108/12/2006
Author: Bruce Atkinson, Andrew Swanson | QCC Resources

This project has generated a large quantity of detailed process efficiency information, on a size-by-size basis, for modern fine coal processing equipment.

This project is complemented by data from a parallel ACARP project (C12050) relating to detailed performance information ....  read more

 

Improving the Recovery of Coarse Coal Particles in a Jameson Cell

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C1205301/08/2005
Author: Joan Cowburn, G Harbort, Emmy Manlapig, Z Pokrajcic | Xstrata Technology, JKMRC

The ACARP funding allowed the design of a production sized Jameson Cell test rig with internal sampling arrangements and for investigations into combustibles recovery under different Jameson Cell operating conditions.

Reduction in downcomer turbulence through operation with ....  read more

 

Flotation Diagnostics by Coal Grain Analysis

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C1305901/06/2006
Author: Graham O'Brien, Philip Ofori, Barry Jenkins, Bruce Firth | CSIRO Exploration & Mining, CSIRO Energy Technology, Jenkins-Kwan Technology

In coal flotation, particles of different components of the coal such as maceral groups and mineral matter and their associations have differing hydrophobic characteristics and therefore different flotation responses. By using a new coal grain analysis method for characterising ....  read more

 

Screening and Magnetic Separations for Fine Coal Dense Medium Plants

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C1406501/08/2007
Author: Glenn Hart, Bruce Firth, Jeff Graham, Peter Purdon | CSIRO Energy Technology, ACIRL

Since the early 1990s, there has been considerable development of the technology and equipment available for coal preparation which potentially can overcome the serious limitations identified in fine coal Dense Medium Cyclone (DMC) circuits. These limitations were poor size classification and ....  read more

 

Ultimate Froth Flotation Performance Test

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C1406819/03/2008
Author: Michael Campbell, Noel Lambert | ACIRL, TUNRA Clean Coal

This report describes the development of a new reliable method for determining the ultimate flotation response for 0 to 500 µm higher rank coals.  The method evolved from continuous development of laboratory flotation tests that were then compared to the “Standard” methods. By ....  read more

 

Improved Classification Accuracy at 100 - 350 Microns

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C1505125/05/2007
Author: Andrew Vince | Elsa Consulting Group

The pilot scale performance of the following different screen types has been assessed:

  • A Derrick Stack Sizer™ ; Tested by Derrick Corporation in Buffalo, New York State
  • A Kroosh high frequency screen; Tested by ACIRL Maitland, New South
 ....  read more

 

Improved Efficiency of Fine Coal Classification

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C1505928/01/2009
Author: Bruce Atkinson, Andrew Swanson | Downer Edi Engineering - QCC Pty Ltd

A proprietary water injector (WI) was installed and tested on a 1000 mm diameter hydrocyclone (classifying cyclone) at Rix's Creek Coal Preparation Plant in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

Water injection rates of up to 60% of the cyclone underflow water flow rate were evaluated.

 ....  read more

 

Improved Flotation Recovery Via Hydrophobicity Adjustment

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C1603918/03/2009
Author: Philip Ofori, Graham O'Brien, Bruce Firth, Clint McNally, Anh Nguyen | CSIRO, University of Queensland

The main goal of this project was to examine a new approach to maximising the recovery of product specification coal during coal flotation using new generation reagents complemented by the use of the Coal Grain Analysis tool. The Coal Grain Analysis tool, developed by CSIRO, was used to ....  read more

 

Extending The Size Range Of The Reflux Classifier

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C1604020/05/2009
Author: Kevin Galvin, A.M. Callen, S. Spear | University of Newcastle

A comprehensive study examining the potential of the Reflux Classifier to be applied to the beneficiation of coarser coal up to 8 mm in size was undertaken. It was established in this study that the Reflux Classifier can be operated successfully using a feed with an upper size of 4 mm and also ....  read more

 

Evaluation Of Eucalyptus Oils As Reagents In Coal Flotation

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C1604401/12/2010
Author: Paul Botman & Peter Holtham | Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

ACARP Project C16044 investigated the use of eucalyptus oils as both frother and collector in coal flotation. The application of eucalyptus oils as reagents in froth flotation dates back to the beginning of the process itself. It was realised early on that natural oils are complex mixtures of ....  read more

 

Improving Coal Flotation Recovery Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

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C1703818/06/2009
Author: Peter Koh | CSIRO Minerals

This work involves using the latest advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to increase understanding of the hydrodynamics in coal flotation and to identify any opportunities to improve design and operation of both the Microcel column and Jameson cell. The CSIRO CFD model incorporates ....  read more

 

0.100 - 0.200mm Cuts with Sieve Bends

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C1704031/03/2009
Author: Andrew Vince | Elsa Consulting Group Pty Ltd

The pilot scale performances of a 0.150mm aperture conventional and a 0.150mm aperture pressure sieve bend were assessed.   The slimes contamination level of the pressure sieve bend product was around ½ of that of the conventional unit.  This, however, was achieved at reduced ....  read more

 

Flotation Performance Monitoring By Acoustic Emissions

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C1704201/04/2011
Author: Steven Spencer, Ryan Bruniges, Gif Roberts, Vic Sharp, Alvaro Catanzano, Warren Bruckard, Kevin Davey | CSIRO

This project has provided proof-of-concept for monitoring of washery Jameson cell and Microcel column process state by passive acoustic emission (AE) methodology. Successful trials of an AE monitoring system developed at CSIRO were undertaken on a Jameson cell at Mt Thorley-Warkworth washery ....  read more

 

Full-Scale Trial of the REFLUX Classifier to at least 4mm Top-Size

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C1900112/01/2017
Author: Simon Iveson, Anthony Price and Kevin Galvin | The University of Newcastle

Previous laboratory and pilot‐scale test work in ACARP Project C16040 (Galvin et al., 2009) had established the potential of REFLUX™ Classifiers (RC™) to beneficiate coal particles up to 4 mm in size, and even up to 8 mm in size, at separation efficiencies comparable to that ....  read more

 

A Step Change in Fine Coal Beneficiation - Inverse Flotation

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C1903609/07/2012
Author: Kevin Galvin, Kathika Liyanaarachchi, Simon Iveson, Grant Webber, Catherine Whitby, John Ralston, Daniel Weissmann, Diana N. H. Tran | University of Newcastle, University of South Australia

The objective of this study was to establish a major step change in the technology used by the coal preparation industry to beneficiate fine particles, especially particles smaller than 0.200 mm. We use the term “Inverse Flotation” to describe the new method of fine coal beneficiation. ....  read more

 

Baleen Filter Application

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C1903731/12/2010
Author: Neill Turner-Dauncey | Tekpro Metallurgical

Every year millions of tons of good quality ultrafine coal are discarded along with the high ash slimes material onto tailings dams throughout Australia's coal mining regions. With Baleen Filter's new micro-screening technology, originally developed for the water treatment industry, ....  read more

 

Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling to Coal Flotation

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C1904001/05/2011
Author: Peter Koh | CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics

The work is an extension of a previous ACARP project C17038 in using the latest advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to improve understanding of the hydrodynamics in coal flotation, and to improve the design and operation of the Microcel columns and Jameson Cells in existing ....  read more

 

Improved Flotation Recovery Via Hydrophobicity Adjustment-Extension

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C1904201/06/2011
Author: Philip Ofori, Graham O’Brien, Clint McNally, Bruce Firth | CSIRO

The main goal of this project was to examine the effectiveness of using new generation reagents for maximising the recovery of product specification coal during coal flotation. Previous work had indicated that coarse-sized inertite, inertinite-rich and vitrinite-rich composite particles are ....  read more

 

Small Diameter Cyclones for Desliming

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C1904501/07/2011
Author: Bernd Länger & Götz Bickert | GBL Process

In the Hunter Valley (HV), coal preparation plants often discard ultrafines < 125 micron because of the high clay and high ash content. Recovery of the coal that is currently lost in this fraction can potentially increase plant yield by 1 to 2 %. The use of small diameter hydrocyclones (100 ....  read more

 

Improving The Treatment Of Clay Minerals In Coal Flotation Using Saline Water

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C2004201/04/2013
Author: Bo Wang, Di Liu, Yongjun Peng, and Sue Vink | The University of Queensland

Clay minerals present a widespread problem in the flotation of all kinds of minerals in that they can coat mineral surfaces resulting in low mineral flotation recovery, contaminate the flotation product through mechanical entrainment due to the small particle size and cause high pulp viscosity ....  read more

 

Enhanced Desliming using a Reflux Flotation Cell

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C2004302/11/2015
Author: James Dickinson and Kevin Galvin | The University of Newcastle

The objective of this project was to investigate the potential to improve the desliming performance of fine coal flotation by using a Reflux Flotation Cell (RFC), and to establish increased certainty in the scalability from a laboratory scale unit to a pilot scale unit for future construction ....  read more

 

Full Scale Gravity - Desliming Using Cascading REFLUX Classifiers

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C2005201/10/2018
Author: Simon Iveson, Anthony Price, Kim van Netten, Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

Considerable quantities of fine coal are disposed of as part of the tailings from coal preparation plants and there are also large inventories of fine coal in existing tailings dams. The recovery of such coal by flotation is not always possible or economic and the applicable size range of ....  read more

 

Fine Coal Agglomeration using a Novel Economic Binding Agent

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C2104506/09/2017
Author: Kim van Netten & Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

In this project a novel economic binding agent was investigated for use in the agglomeration of fine coal. The novel binding agent was a high internal phase (HIP) water-in-oil emulsion and it was to substitute the pure oil traditionally used in coal agglomeration processes. The substitution was ....  read more

 

Improving The Performance Of Froth In Coal Flotation Using Saline Water

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C2104801/05/2014
Author: Tony Wei, Yongjun Peng, Sue Vink | University of Queensland

Froth stability is known to play an important role in determining mineral flotation recovery and selectivity. Overly stable froth causes high entrainment of gangue minerals in flotation and is difficult to handle in downstream processes. On the other hand, unstable froth is associated with the ....  read more

 

Maximising Flotation Kinetics

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C2104924/10/2014
Author: James Dickinson, Kaiqi Jiang, Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

Low pulp density and low grade streams in the coal and minerals industries are generally discarded to waste due to the low or negative financial return and large capital investment required. Yet, such losses to tailings dams are likely in the billions of dollars each year. The challenge facing ....  read more

 

Plant-based Investigations of Hydrodynamic Behaviours in Large Coal Flotation Cells

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C2105130/06/2014
Author: Shenggen Hu and Philip Ofori | CSIRO

 

The performance of flotation cells can be impaired by the occurrence of biased feed distribution and unfavourable hydrodynamic behaviours, such as short-circuiting, pulp circulation flows, dead volumes or excessively high shear stress.

 

The hydrodynamics of a ....  read more

 

Generalised Model of the Reflux Classifier using Computer Simulations Based on the Discrete Element Method

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C2203005/07/2016
Author: R. Moreno-Atanasio, N.H. Syed and K.P. Galvin | University of Newcastle

The aim of this project was to develop a generalised model of the Reflux Classifier (RC) utilizing a combination of a continuum approach based on the mechanisms of segregation and dispersion within the system, and a tracer particle approach based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The ....  read more

 

Measurement and Control of the Reflux Classifier

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C2203202/03/2017
Author: Kevin Galvin, James Zhou, Kim van Netten | University of Newcastle

The purpose of this investigation was to establish the optimum control regime of the Reflux Classifier for coal sourced from various seams. Experiments were carried out at a CHPP in the lower Hunter Valley using an RC300 with six pressure probes installed along the vertical section and fitted ....  read more

 

Comparison of Column and Mechanical Flotation Technologies

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C2303422/09/2017
Author: Bruce Firth | BA Firth

Fine coal beneficiation is virtually essential for coking coals unless the raw coal is of extremely low ash value, i.e. 10%. Most steel mills seek to have no more than 12% ash in coke and therefore selectivity in beneficiation is more important for lower ash coking coals than for thermal coals ....  read more

 

Improved Flotation Recovery and Reduced Cost via Adjusting Frother Chemistry and Froth Behaviour

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C2303508/07/2016
Author: Liguang Wang, Hangil Park and Junyu Wang | The University of Queensland

This report provides detailed information on a cyclic frother with high flash point and its coal flotation performance, two frother concentration measuring techniques, and a froth diagnostic tool.

Coal flotation tests at laboratory scale using mechanically agitated cell and Jameson ....  read more

 

A New Approach to Coarse Flotation

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C2303601/11/2017
Author: Kevin Galvin | The University of Newcastle

There are significant coal losses in flotation due to oversize particles entering the flotation circuit, usually due to worn screens. Conventional flotation fails to recover a significant fraction of these coarse particles, typically larger than 0.5 mm. A robust plant design requires unit ....  read more

 

Improving the Treatment of Clay Minerals in Coal Flotation in Saline Water

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C2303801/01/2017
Author: Xumeng Chen and Yongjun Peng | The University of Queensland

Clay minerals commonly occur in Australian coal deposits and have deleterious effects on coal flotation. Firstly, clay minerals can adsorb on coal particles as slime coatings and reduce coal surface hydrophobicity, resulting in a lower combustible recovery. In addition, clay minerals can be ....  read more

 

Characterisation and Flotation of Oxidised Coals

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C2303901/03/2017
Author: Xumeng Chen and Yongjun Peng | University of Queensland

Coal oxidation has deleterious effects on coal flotation. Using the conventional reagents suitable for floating non-oxidised coals, mild coal oxidation reduces the combustible recovery from flotation while severe oxidation makes the flotation impossible. To help the coal preparation plants to ....  read more

 

Improvement of Hydrodynamic Behaviours in Large Coal Flotation Cells

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C2304401/06/2015
Author: Shenggen Hu and Philip Ofori | CSIRO

The performance of flotation cells can be impaired by the occurrence of unfavourable hydrodynamic behaviours, such as channel flows, pulp circulation flows, dead volumes and excessive shear stress. In ACARP project C21051, hydrodynamic behaviours in both Microcel columns and Jameson cells were ....  read more

 

Full Scale Trial of the REFLUX™ Flotation Cell

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C2304519/10/2023
Author: Simon Iveson, Joshua Sutherland, Matthew Cole, Daniel Borrow, James Zhou, Kevin Galvin | The University of Newcastle

A 2 m diameter REFLUX Flotation Cell™ (RFC™) was installed at a Hunter Valley mine site and successfully operated during several campaigns in 2021 and 2022. The technology delivered strong performance comparable to or better than the tree flotation curve across a wide range of feed ....  read more

 

Impact of Sub Optimal Operation

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C2403925/07/2016
Author: Bruce Firth | BA Firth

The objective of this project was the 'Quantification the effects of sub-optimal operation' in a coal preparation plant. This was achieved by the analysis of particular operational issues and how they can affect the recovery of saleable coal.

Previous work in this area was ....  read more

 

Improving Coal Flotation with Oscillatory Air Supply

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C2404121/08/2017
Author: Liguang Wang and Junyu Wang | The University of Queensland

This report provides detailed information on coal flotation with oscillatory air supply at laboratory scale. The oscillatory air flow was generated from steady air flow by using two different devices. The majority of the coal flotation tests were carried out for different coking coal samples ....  read more

 

A Pilot Scale Study of Fast Flotation

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C2404215/09/2017
Author: James Dickinson and Kevin Galvin | The University of Newcastle

In many coal preparation plants, beneficiation of the fine coal from the cyclone overflow is deemed uneconomical hence this stream has been sent to the thickener, and then onto tailings. Our objective was to establish a low capital cost solution to generate high value product from the cyclone ....  read more

 

Simultaneous Gravity Separation and Desliming of Fine Coal - A Novel Concept

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C2404301/07/2017
Author: Kevin Galvin, James Zhou, Kim van Netten | The University of Newcastle

The purpose of this work was to examine a novel concept for achieving simultaneous gravity separation and desliming. The novel concept was the application of the dense medium effect within an Inverted Reflux Classifier. This device, which consists of a system of inclined channels below a ....  read more

 

Adaptation of Coal Grain Analysis to Improve Flotation Yield Estimation

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C2404509/05/2018
Author: Bruce Atkinson | QCC Resources Pty Ltd

Yield estimation from resource data is notoriously difficult. Factors impacting on achieved yield include:

  • CPP feed size distribution which directly affects washability distribution;
  • amount and nature of dilution;
  • actual flotation response (subject of this
 ....  read more

 

Online Particle Size Monitoring in Coal Preparation

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C2404627/04/2017
Author: Brad Garraway | QCC Resources

The principle of using laser diffraction as a means of measuring a volume size distribution in slurry is well established. Laboratory devices have been in use since the 1960's for monitoring ultrafine solids in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paper manufacture and minerals processing.

 ....  read more

 

Performance-Enhanced Diesel Collector for Coal Flotation

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C2404901/06/2019
Author: Shenggen Hu and Philip Ofori | CSIRO

The objective of this project was to carry out coal preparation plant based trials of the performance enhanced diesel collector for increasing the combustibles recovery of both coarse and fine coal particles and/or reducing the consumption of diesel oil while maintaining good flotation ....  read more

 

3D Flotation of Fine Particles

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C2500801/10/2019
Author: Kim van Netten, Daniel Borrow, Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

In this project a process for the continuous, selective agglomeration and recovery of fine coal was designed and investigated. The agglomeration was achieved using a binder consisting of a highly concentrated water in oil emulsion. The binder, which was developed in a previous ACARP project, ....  read more

 

Rapid Extraction of Frothers from Process Water

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C2500928/02/2019
Author: James Dickinson, Frances Neville, Peter Ireland, Callan Lowes and Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

The purpose of this study was to address the problems associated with excess frother in the process water of coal preparation plants. The goal was to establish an approach for recovering up to 50% of the frother from the flotation tailings. The frother concentrate would then be recycled back ....  read more

 

Evaluation of Residual Frother Minimisation Strategies

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C2501301/12/2018
Author: Philip Ofori, Clint McNally | CSIRO

This project was undertaken to quantify the effectiveness of a number of approaches recommended for minimising unwanted frothing caused in part by residual frother in process streams in coal preparation plants.  In order to be able to make these assessments, a rapid, portable frother ....  read more

 

Plant Scale Testing of Safe Aerosol Frother Addition to Reduce Residual Frother and Reagent Costs

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C2501401/06/2019
Author: Philip Ofori, Andrew Taylor and Shenggen Hu | CSIRO

The use of frothers in the froth flotation process is essential in achieving acceptable process performance through the formation of sufficient numbers of stable bubbles to maximise particle-bubble contact and bubble surface area to carry hydrophobic particles to product.

Frother has ....  read more

 

Leveraging Detailed Maceral Component Information from CGA

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C2501707/05/2018
Author: Bruce Atkinson | QCC Resources Pty Ltd

Since Project C18041 was completed, the CSIRO image analysis software has been transitioned and more detailed information is able be generated by further extending and re-coding the software calculations. This allows previous images to be re-analysed to extract additional information of ....  read more

 

Adaptation of Coal Grain Analysis to Improve Flotation Yield Estimation

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C2501917/10/2019
Author: Bruce Atkinson | QCC Resources

This project involved sampling of full-scale flotation circuits at each of six different coal preparation plants, each subject to three different reagent dose rate regimes (three sampling runs per site). Coal Grain Analysis (CGA) was undertaken on feed, concentrate and tailing for each run. ....  read more

 

Flotation Tailings Online Measurement

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C2502027/10/2017
Author: Alan Bennetts, Zoe Bennetts, Kevin Boddeus, Andrew Meyers | A&B Mylec

Online analysers can be used to assist in improving the performance of flotation circuits. Historically several different devices have been used in this application measuring an assortment of operational performance elements with variable success. This project evaluated the capability of the ....  read more

 

Coarse Particle Flotation for the Plant of the Future

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C2502131/08/2017
Author: Graeme Jameson | University of Newcastle

At present, there is no single device for the recovery of coal from feed materials less than 2 mm in diameter. Fine particles are usually separated in two stages. Gravity separation is used for particles in the range 300 µm to 2 mm, followed by froth flotation for the fraction below 300 µm. It ....  read more

 

Impact of Sub-optimal Performance

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C2600101/08/2020
Author: Bruce Firth and Michael O'Brien | CSIRO

The inclusion of the Sub-Optimal Operation (SubO) / Health Issue (HI) is the starting point in 'The Intelligent Plant' Diagnostic System and to enter this diagnostic system from a health issue (Hid), a sub-optimal event, the linkage maps needed to be changed. The focus of this project ....  read more

 

Towards Better Fine Coal Classification

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C2701223/06/2020
Author: Matthew Swanson, Michael O’Brien, Andrew Swanson | QCC Resources

It is well recognised that the efficient classification of fine coal in the range of 0.04 - 0.3 mm is a key technology area to improve the efficiency of coal preparation. ACARP has invested substantially in the area of fine coal classification, and in order to maximise the benefits of past ....  read more

 

Development of a Model-Informed Control Strategy for Coal Flotation in a Jameson Cell

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C2702101/02/2023
Author: Joyce Shee Yen Siong, Kym Runge, Angus James Morrison, Mohsen Yahyaei | University of Queensland

Jameson cells are often used in a coal processing plant to treat the ultrafine coal (-250μm) and reduce the ash content of the final product. However, it is not uncommon for these cells to be poorly controlled leading to unnecessary loss of combustibles to the flotation tailing stream. ....  read more

 

Quantifying the Step-Change Benefit of Reflux Flotation Cell Circuits

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C2702501/02/2021
Author: Jamie Dickinson, Matthew Cole and Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

The objective of this project was to quantify the value proposition of applying the Reflux Flotation Cell (RFC) to identified applications, utilising a broad range of feeds supplied by producers. Laboratory scale RFCs were used to obtain the data. The potential for complete recovery of ....  read more

 

Ultra-Low Ash Coal by 3D Binder Flotation

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C2702618/08/2021
Author: Daniel Borrow, Matthew Cole, Kevin Galvin | University of Newcastle

The objective of this project was to investigate the potential to produce a coal‐water mixture fuel, ideally less than 1 wt% ash, through liberation by grinding, followed by beneficiation via a novel agglomeration method referred to as 3D Flotation. Different levels of grinding were used ....  read more

 

Comprehensive Flotation Model Using CGA Particle Surface Composition

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C2703312/10/2019
Author: Cathy Evans, Bruce Atkinson | University of Queensland, Basacon Services

The aim of this project was to adapt existing particle based flotation circuit simulation architecture, developed by the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre for metalliferous flotation circuits, as a tool that can be applied in fine coal flotation to forecast the likely impact changes ....  read more

 

Developing a Frother Decision Tree for Australian Coal Flotation Plants

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C2805001/03/2022
Author: Yufan Mu, Xumeng Chen & Yongjun Peng | The University of Queensland

Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), an aliphatic alcohol frother, has been widely used in Australian coal flotation plants. However, MIBC can cause health, safety and environment problems due to its low flash point and high evaporation rate, and therefore it has been under safety alert from the ....  read more

 

Reducing Diesel Consumption While Improving Fine Coal Flotation Through Controlled Diesel Emulsification in Saline Water

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C2805101/02/2021
Author: Xumeng Chen, Yongjun Peng | University of Queensland

Diesel collector used in coal flotation is not soluble in water and therefore has a low efficiency in dispersing in coal slurry and adsorbing on coal surfaces. Previous research found that coal flotation can be significantly improved through diesel emulsification in water. However, the ....  read more

 

Effect of Chemicals on Stabilising Tailings Disposals of Coarse and Fine Coal Rejects

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C2805401/11/2020
Author: Andrew Doi, Van Nguyen, Tuan Nguyen, Cuong Nguyen, Anh Nguyen | University of Queensland

The risk of potential catastrophic liquefaction failure and costs associated with tailings storage facilities  is reduced substantially by co-disposal strategies, i.e. disposing of a dried mixture of coarse and fine coal tailings rejects. This process involves dewatering of fine rejects ....  read more

 

Fine Coal Centrifuge Dewatering Test

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C2805701/06/2022
Author: Michael O'Brien, Clint McNally and Andrew Taylor | CSIRO

Dewatering of fines is problematic due to the high surface area and the varied nature of the feeds to the various centrifugal dewatering machines. In particular, tailings containing different clay types and amounts can reduce the capacity and increase the cake moisture of the dewatering ....  read more

 

Phase Two Development of a Low Cost Online Measurement of Particle Size and Density for Diagnostics Across the Fine Coal Circuit (Particle Profiler)

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C2805801/12/2020
Author: Rohan Stanger, Peter Stepien, Quang Anh Tran, Clint Bruin, Terry Wall, Pierre Gouhier, Taylor Young, Sarah Peacock | University of Newcastle, Restech

This project is based around the development of a prototype system (Particle Profiler) for online analysis of coal quality in the fine circuit of a coal preparation plant (ie in the range of -2+0.125mm). The system determines the distribution of particle size and density using an optical ....  read more

 

Measuring and Correlating CGA Data at Particle Topsize

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C2806011/07/2023
Author: Bruce Atkinson | Basacon Services

Coal Grain Analysis (CGA) is gaining some traction as an alternative way to characterise a coal, and it is usually undertaken on a sample of 1 mm topsize, as per a conventional petrographics analysis. In prior work, samples of up to 4 mm topsize have been successfully analysed using CGA. This ....  read more

 

Froth flotation of 4 mm coal particles

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C2905527/06/2023
Author: Graeme Jameson | University of Newcastle

In the Australian coal industry, flotation is used in the final stage of coal preparation, to recover fine particles with a typical top size of 0.25 mm. Particles of screen sizes between 2 mm and 0.25 mm are usually treated using gravity separators such as spirals, teeter-bed separators, or ....  read more

 

Optical Profiling of Coal and Mineral Particles in the Ultrafine Circuit for Online Analysis

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C3305501/11/2023
Author: Rohan Stanger, Peter Stepien, Quang Anh Tran, Clint Bruin, Terry Wall, Pierre Gouhier, Taylor Young, Sarah Peacock , Jesse Nolan, Fayeem Aziz, Guillermo Gomez Ansaldo | University of Newcastle, Restech

This project was based on adapting the Particle Profiler system for ultrafine coal streams such as flotation circuits and thickener feed. The current Profiler system captured images of particles (0.1 - 2mm) settling in water and tracks them to measure the average size and speed of each ....  read more

 

Better Classifying Cyclones

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C3405303/08/2022
Author: Andrew Vince, Andrew Swanson | Elsa Consulting Group, Anjesan

Despite classifying cyclones being important coal preparation plant workhorses that effect fine coal particle mixture component separations, project C27012 did not identify any near term potential technological improvements on the horizon.

The Rong Classifying Cyclone Concept ....  read more

 

Underground

Health and safety, productivity and environment initiatives.

Recently Completed Projects

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Safety, productivity and the right to operate are priorities for open cut mine research.

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Coal Preparation

Maximising throughput and yield while minimising costs and emissions.

Coal Preparation

Technical Market Support

Market acceptance and emphasising the advantages of Australian coals.

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Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the production of coal.

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Low Emission Coal Use

Step-change technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Mining And The Community

The relationship between mines and the local community.

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The focus of this ACARP-funded project has been to identify a number...

C22029Understanding And Managing Cumulative Impacts Of Coal Mining And Other Land Uses In Regions With Diversified Economies

The coal industry operates in the context of competing land-uses that sh...

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This reports on issues surrounding economic assessment and analysis ...

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NERDDC

National Energy Research,Development & Demonstration Council (NERDDC) reports - pre 1992.

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NERDDC