Coal preparation research in the USA

The funding level provided for coal preparation research and development (R&D) in the US has decreased by an order of magnitude over the last two decades. Despite the limited funding, new technologies and methodologies developed by US coal preparation researchers have made significant technical and economical impacts that have clearly enhanced the profitability of mining operations while reducing the environmental consequences of mining and processing coal. The main R&D focus has been the development of fine coal sizing, cleaning and dewatering technologies. Dry coal cleaning as a deshaling solution for bituminous coals or as an effective upgrading process for low rank coals has also been investigated extensively. The concentrated R&D efforts described in this publication have resulted in outcomes that are highly valued and, in many cases, applied by the US coal industry.