Structural properties of residual carbon in coal gasification fine slag and their influence on flotation separation and resource utilization:A review

Coal gasification fine slag(FS)is a typical solid waste generated in coal gasification.Its current disposal methods of stockpil-ing and landfilling have caused serious soil and ecological hazards.Separation recovery and the high-value utilization of residual carbon(RC)in FS are the keys to realizing the win-win situation of the coal chemical industry in terms of economic and environmental benefits.The structural properties,such as pore,surface functional group,and microcrystalline structures,of RC in FS(FS-RC)not only affect the flotation recovery efficiency of FS-RC but also form the basis for the high-value utilization of FS-RC.In this paper,the characteristics of FS-RC in terms of pore structure,surface functional groups,and microcrystalline structure are sorted out in accordance with gasification type and FS particle size.The reasons for the formation of the special structural properties of FS-RC are analyzed,and their influence on the flotation separation and high-value utilization of FS-RC is summarized.Separation methods based on the pore structural characterist-ics of FS-RC,such as ultrasonic pretreatment-pore-blocking flotation and pore breaking-flocculation flotation,are proposed to be the key development technologies for improving FS-RC recovery in the future.The design of low-cost,low-dose collectors containing polar bonds based on the surface and microcrystalline structures of FS-RC is proposed to be an important breakthrough point for strengthening the flotation efficiency of FS-RC in the future.The high-value utilization of FS should be based on the physicochemical structural proper-ties of FS-RC and should focus on the environmental impact of hazardous elements and the recyclability of chemical waste liquid to es-tablish an environmentally friendly utilization method.This review is of great theoretical importance for the comprehensive understand-ing of the unique structural properties of FS-RC,the breakthrough of the technological bottleneck in the efficient flotation separation of FS,and the expansion of the field of the high value-added utilization of FS-RC.

Multiscale analysis of fine slag from pulverized coal gasification in entrained-flow bed

Fine slag(FS)is an unavoidable by-product of coal gasification.FS,which is a simple heap of solid waste left in the open air,easily causes environmental pollution and has a low resource utilization rate,thereby restricting the development of energy-saving coal gasification technologies.The multiscale analysis of FS performed in this study indicates typical grain size distribution,composition,crystalline structure,and chemical bonding characteristics.The FS primarily contained inorganic and carbon components(dry bases)and exhibited a"three-peak distribution"of the grain size and regular spheroidal as well as irregular shapes.The irregular particles were mainly adsorbed onto the structure and had a dense distribution and multiple pores and folds.The carbon constituents were primarily amorphous in structure,with a certain degree of order and active sites.C 1s XPS spectrum indicated the presence of C–C and C–H bonds and numerous aromatic structures.The inorganic components,constituting 90%of the total sample,were primarily silicon,aluminum,iron,and calcium.The inorganic components contained Si–O-Si,Si–O–Al,Si–O,SO_(4)^(2−),and Fe–O bonds.Fe 2p XPS spectrum could be deconvoluted into Fe 2p_(1/2) and Fe 2p_(3/2) peaks and satellite peaks,while Fe existed mainly in the form of Fe(III).The findings of this study will be beneficial in resource utilization and formation mechanism of fine slag in future.

Effective separation of coal gasification fine slag: Role of classification and ultrasonication in enhancing flotation

Effective separation of residual carbon and ash is the basis for the resource utilization of coal gasification fine slag(CGFS).The conventional flotation process of CGFS has the bottlenecks of low carbon recovery and high collector dosage.In order to address these issues,CGFS sample taken from Shaanxi,China was used as the study object in this paper.A new process of size classification-fine grain ultrasonic pretreatment flotation(SC-FGUF)was proposed and its separation effect was compared with that of wholegrain flotation(WGF)as well as size classification-fine grain flotation(SC-FGF).The mechanism of its enhanced separation effect was revealed through flotation kinetic fitting,flotation flow foam layer stability,particle size composition,surface morphology,pore structure,and surface chemical property analysis.The results showed that compared with WGF,pre-classification could reduce the collector dosage by 84.09%and the combination of pre-classification and ultrasonic pretreatment could increase the combustible recovery by 17.29%and up to 93.46%.The SC-FGUF process allows the ineffective adsorption of coarse residual carbon to collector during flotation stage to be reduced by pre-classification,and the tightly embedded state of fine CGFS particles is disrupted and surface oxidizing functional group occupancy was reduced by ultrasonic pretreatment,thus carbon and ash is easier to be separated in the flotation process.In addition,some of the residual carbon particles were broken down to smaller sizes in the ultrasonic pretreatment,which led to an increase in the stability of flotation flow foam layer and a decrease in the probability of detachment of residual carbon particles from the bubbles.Therefore,SCFGUF could increase the residual carbon recovery and reduce the flotation collector dosage,which is an innovative method for carbon-ash separation of CGFS with good application prospect.

Experimental Research on Desulfurization of Fine Coal Using an Enhanced Centrifugal Gravity Separator

A desulphurization experimental study under the effects of compounding physical force fields has been described for 〈 0.5 mm fine particles of high sulfur coal. A statistical test using the Box-Behnken Design of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of individual operating variables and their interactions on desulfurization of fine coal using an enhanced centrifugal gravity separator. A model describing the relation between desulphurization efficiency of pyrite sulfur and different operating variables has been designed. The interactions between different factors on the pyrite sulfur desulphurization efficiency have been analysed. The optimal test conditions for desulfarization are extracted from the Design-Expert 6.0 software. Finally, the pointed out. advantage of centrifugal gravity separation for fine coal is pointed out.

Effect of a starch-based filter aid on the dewatering of fine clean coal

The dewatering of fine, flotation cleaned coals from Huaibei and Xuzhou (bituminous) and Yongcheng (anthracite) were studied. The supernatant and filter cake were examined to determine the rate and extent of flocculation and dewatering. A starch-based filter aid was used to increase flocculation and dewatering rates. The filtration constant, K, and compression index, s, of the Yongcheng slurry were measured under various conditions. A designed experiment was performed to determine optimum conditions for dewatering. The results showed that the filter aid enhanced flocculation and coagulation of the fine cleaned coal slurry, enhanced the structure of the filter cake and promoted dewatering of the cake. Moisture content in the cake was reduced to 17% after vacuum filtration.

New Progress on the Coal Fines Affecting the Development of Coalbed Methane

Objective The production of coal fines is very common in the development of coalbed methane（CBM）in the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin,China.A large amount of produced coal fines seriously affect the productivity of CBM wells（Wei Yingchun et al.,2013）.Therefore,the production problems of CBM wells caused by coal fines have attracted extensive attention.

Carburization of ferrochromium metals in chromium ore fines containing coal during voluminal reduction by microwave heating

Chromium ore fines containing coal (COFCC) can be rapidly heated by microwave to conduct the voluminal reduction, which lays a foundation of getting sponge ferrochromium powders with a lower content of C. Under the conditions of COFCC with n(O)-n(C) (molar ratio) as 1.00-0.84 and n(SiO2)-n(CaO) as 1.00-0.39, the samples were heated by 10 kW microwave power to reach the given temperatures and held for different times respectively. The results show that the low-C-Cr ferrochromium metal phase in the reduced materials forms before the high-C-Cr ferrochromium metal phase does. With increasing temperature the C content of ferrochromium metals is in a positive correlation with the content of Cr. The C content of ferrochromium metal in reduced materials is 0-10.07% with an average value of 4.68%. With the increase of holding time the Cr content in ferrochromium metals is in a negative correlation with the content of C, while the content of Fe changes in the contrary way. In the microwave field the kinetic conditions of carburization are closely related with the temperature of microwave heating, holding time and carbon fitting ratio.

An Entrapment Model of Water Flow on Fine Coal Flotation

Effect of entrapment of water flow on fine coal flotation was studied. The relation between constant of water flotation rate and flotation time was investigated and the water recycling model determined. The entrapment model of water flow about the relation between the recovery of fine particle and that of water in concentration was established. Finally, the equation about ash in fine clean coal at any time was derived by introducing a de-ashing coefficient.

Physical properties and filter cake structure of fine clean coal from flotation

In order to improve the dewatering rate and the effect of fine clean coal(FCC), the advanced method offine coal( 0.5 mm) dewatering and the correlated basic theory were investigated in this study. It was found that the dewatering by sleeve type press filter was an efficient way of FCC dewatering. On the other hand, the results also proved that particle size distribution, volatile matter, ash content, pore size distribution and specific surface area of coal particles of FCC samples, as well as viscosity and density of FCC slurry, were important parameters in determining the process of efficient dewatering. Especially, wet mass to dry mass, specific resistance of average mass, compressibility factor and microstructure of filter cake explained the reasons and mechanisms of fine clean coal efficient dewatering.

Surface Modification Mechanism of Fine Coal by Electrochemical Methods

In order to reveal the surface modification mechanism of fine coal by electrochemical methods, the structural changes of the coal surface before and after electrochemical modification were investigated by Fourier Transform In- frared Spectra (FTIR) and Raman Spectra. The results show that under certain electrochemical conditions, the oxy- gen-containing functional group in the coal structure and the oxygen content of absorption could be reduced and the floatability of coal improved. At the same time, the sulfur in the coal was reduced to the hydrophilic S2– which could be separated easily from coal. Thus electrochemical modification methods could be used to change the structure and func- tional group on the coal surface and to enhance the floatability of coal.

THE STUDY OF THE BASIC THEORY AND THE APPLICATION OF REMOVAL PYRITE AND ASH FROM FINE COAL WITH ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATOR

The effect of removing pyrite and ash ffom fine coal with electrostatic separator is determined by the electric property of coal, the distribution of corona ion and etectrostatic field, and the disperse and even feed. The dielectric constant of coal and mineral matter is studied in this paper and the amendment has been made to survey theory. The oscillogram is adopted to study the distribution of corona ion and electrostatic field.The paper details the study of remoing pyrite and ash from fine coal, and the test results demonstrate the high efficiency of removing pyrite and ash with electrostatic separator.

Cake forming and filtering time in the spiral discharging fine coal filtering centrifuge

Based on the realization of moving-bed cake filtering, the concepts of static-bed filtering time and moving-bed fil- tering time in the helical-conveyor fine coal filtering centrifuge were proposed, and the mathematic relations between the time defined and the main factors related were studied in detail. The results show that the static-bed filtering time is the function of the spiral heads and the rotation rate deference between the spiral and the porous drum, while the moving-bed filtering time is the function of the cone angle of the porous drum, the radius of the porous drum, the spiral angle, and the rotation rate deference. The functions deduced are of great significance for fine coal filtering centrifuge＇s parameters determining and optimizing. It is shown that the filtering centrifuge with smaller spiral angle, smaller rotation rate deference, and smaller cone angle may do a better job for fine coal dewatering.

Application of Water-Soluble Polymer in Dewatering of Fine Coal

The addition of water-soluble polymer to a fine coal slurry to enhance dewatering process is considered to be one of the most effective ways of solving the problems of dewatering of fine coal. A series of tests are conducted with a vacuum dewatering apparatus to study the effects of various factors such as the species of polymer, polymer dosage and its ways of addition, and the pH of fine coal slurry on filtrating and dewatering of fine coal.

Study of Cyclonic Microbubble FlotationColumn and Its Application to Fine Coal Processing

This paper deals with the operation principle of the cyclonic microbubble flotation column and its structure characterisics. The pilot test results and the commercial applied results of cyclonic microbubble flotation column for fine coal processing are also introduced. The test results proved that the cyclonic microbubble flotation column has many advantages suck as high selectivity, high efficiency in ash rejection from fine coals, low comsumption of energy, easy operation and maintenance, etc. It is a kind of equipment widely applied to fine coal processing.

Ash Depression in Fine Coal Flotation Using a Novel Polymer Aid

The current study investigated the effects of novel hybrid polyacrylamide polymers as ash (slime) depressants in fine coal flotation to enhance combustible recovery and ash rejection. Coal samples at P80 of approximately 45 um with ~25% ash content were floated in the presence of in-house synthesized hybrid aluminum hydroxide polyacrylamide polymers (Al(OH)3-PAM, or Al-PAM). All flotation experiments were carried out in a 5-L Denver flotation cell. Various influencing factors were examined to optimize the flotation process in the presence of the Al-PAM polymers, including the Al-PAM dosage, Al-PAM conditioning time, impeller rotation speed and pulp pH. Comparative and synergistic studies were also performed using organic polyacrylamide polymers (PAMs), commercial dispersants and Al-PAM/dispersant system. Results showed a significant improvement in both combustible recovery and ash rejection at an Al-PAM dosage of 0.25 mg/L. The maximum combustible recovery obtained, at natural pH, with Al-PAM and Al-PAM/dispersant system was determined to be 70% and 66% at ash content of 7.74% and 7.4%, respectively. Zeta potential values of both the raw coal and concentrate products showed a large shift toward more positive values (from ˉ50 mV to ˉ13 mV), indicating a significant decrease in ash-forming minerals (slimes) when Al-PAM polymers were applied.

Comparative Characteristics of Hydrated Lime with Fine Sewage Sludge Ash (FSSA) and Coal Fly Ash (CFA)

The disposal of waste has become an environmental issue due to the limited available landfilling space. This paper aims to compare the characteristics of hydrated lime with fine sewage sludge ash (FSSA) and coal fly ash (CFA). Multiple techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), compressive strengths, thermophysical properties, and setting time were used to assess the physicochemical characteristics of the lime-based materials. X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction were used to determine the chemical composition and phases of ashes, lime and binders. The results showed that the chemical composition of ashes is similar to that of cement. Besides glass, the main minerals identified in CFA and FSSA are quartz (SiO2) and anhydrite (CaSO4). Moreover, calcium aluminium oxide (Ca3Al2O6) was detected for CFA and phosphorus calcium silicate (Ca2SiO4-Ca3(PO4)2) for FSSA and minor phases were detected for both. FTIR measurements were carried out to characterize the inorganics components of different samples. Compressive strengths of mortars with different formulations have shown that both have a long-term positive effect which might be related to a pozzolanic activity. For the CFA the L3 binder consisting of 60% of coal fly ash and 40% lime has a higher compressive strength than the others while for the FSSA the L4 binder consisting of 80% fine ash and 20% lime has a higher compressive strength than the others. Both binders setting start times are greater than that of cement but shorter than that of lime. The study of the thermophysical properties of binders shows that they have a higher thermal resistance than cement mortar. Moreover, binders heat up less quickly because of their low effusivity compared to cement. Lime-based materials system could be a promising option to both relieve the waste disposal pressure and provide a potential sustainable construction material.

Scavenging Effects of Kaolin on Fine Ash Formation during Zhundong Coal Combustion

The previous work found that the additive kaolin could scavenge not only sodium(Na)but also calcium(Ca)and magnesium(Mg),which is the important ash fluxing agents in low rank coal combustion.Such scavenging effects of kaolin on fine ash formation were studied in the present work.A typical Zhundong coal and its blends with kaolin at dosages of 1,2 and 4 wt%were combusted in an electrically heated drop tube furnace(DTF)at 1300℃.The fine ashes generated were collected and size segregated by a low pressure impactor(LPI).The morphology and chemical composition of fine ash were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energydispersive spectrometer(SEM-EDS).In addition,char/ash particles were sampled at various positions of DTF to elucidate how kaolin additive affected the fine ash formation process.The results further showed that apart from the scavenging of volatile Na,kaolin additive could also strongly scavenge the refractory Ca,Mg and Fe in the fine ash during Zhundong coal combustion,which transformed the sintered particles with irregular shape into melted spherical particles,and finally resulted in the considerable decrease of these elements in both PM_(0.4)and PM_(0.4-10)by melting and agglomeration.The close contacts between kaolin particles and coal resulted from physically mixing were a key factor responsible for the reaction of kaolin with the refractory Ca,Mg and Fe.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HYDROPHOBIC AGGLOMERATION CHARACTERISTICS OF EASY DEGRADATION COAL FINES IN WATER

The separation of ultrafine coal from three Chinese coal samples of easy degradation coal fines in water has been investigated by the application of a hydrophobic agglomeration process. In addition to yielding clean coal with high recovery, this process requires significantly less oil concentration for agglomeration (less than 0.4% in oil-water weight ratio) and produces stabler agglomerates than general oil agglomeration process, the cost of the oil would no longer be an important consideration for its commercial application. Neutral diesel oil was used to make oleophilic coal particles agglomerated with good rejection of clay minerals under little oil consumption and certain agitation speed at 2000 r/min. An important advantage of this process compared with other cleaning fine coal methods is that it can extremely reduce or eliminate the effects of coal degradation and some clay minerals on coal preparation.

FLOTATION RATE CONSTANT MODE FOR FINE COAL

The density of fine coal has a major effect on the value of its flotation rate constant. The collector dose can increase the flotation rate of fine coal, especially for low ash coal, but the effect for gangue is not notable. The flotation rate of gangue is mainly governed by the water entrainment. A coal flotation rate constant model has been developed.