Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Increased mechanization in the underground coal mining has increased the volume of
refuse generated by coal preparation plants. The fine refuse slurry, composed of coal, and
mineral matter, is usually disposed off in a holding pond (impoundment), which has to be
maintained and monitored continuously. Incidents of impoundment breakthrough have drawn
attention of Government as well as industry to look for a solution to avoid the spillage of
slurry in the future. The main objective of the proposed program is to evaluate a new
technique known as "Paste Thickening Technology", marketed by DORR-OLIVER EIMCO,
which utilizes a DEEP CONE Thickener to discharges the waste slurry as a paste. The paste
material could be stacked up at a low repose angle and would dry over a period of time, thus
avoiding the storage of slurries in ponds. The proposed study will be conducted as joint
program between University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research, Department
of Mining engineering, DORR-OLIVER EIMCO and two coal companies, on two types of
coal waste slurries obtained from different preparation plants. The laboratory studies will
involve characterization of slurries for their composition, particle size distribution, pH, zeta
potential, and rheology (viscosity). Flocculation studies ofthe slurries will be conducted with
respect to addition of various types offlocculants and percent solids in the slurries. Rhelogy
of the flocculated material will be studied to identify the yield stress for various solid
concentrations. This information will be used to determine the optimum solids concentration
of solids in the slurry to obtain a thickened paste type product. Later on, a pilot-scale study at
one of the coal preparation site will be conducted,to obtain technical and economic data for a
commercial installation and operation. It is anticipated that the outcome of the study will be
an effective and economical process for ~afe disposal of fine coal refuse.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 4/1/03 → 3/31/09 |
Funding
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: $154,788.00
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