Coal/Gangue Volume Estimation with Convolutional Neural Network and Separation Based on Predicted Volume and Weight

In the coal mining industry,the gangue separation phase imposes a key challenge due to the high visual similaritybetween coal and gangue.Recently,separation methods have become more intelligent and efficient,using newtechnologies and applying different features for recognition.One such method exploits the difference in substancedensity,leading to excellent coal/gangue recognition.Therefore,this study uses density differences to distinguishcoal from gangue by performing volume prediction on the samples.Our training samples maintain a record of3-side images as input,volume,and weight as the ground truth for the classification.The prediction process relieson a Convolutional neural network(CGVP-CNN)model that receives an input of a 3-side image and then extractsthe needed features to estimate an approximation for the volume.The classification was comparatively performedvia ten different classifiers,namely,K-Nearest Neighbors(KNN),Linear Support Vector Machines(Linear SVM),Radial Basis Function(RBF)SVM,Gaussian Process,Decision Tree,Random Forest,Multi-Layer Perceptron(MLP),Adaptive Boosting(AdaBosst),Naive Bayes,and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis(QDA).After severalexperiments on testing and training data,results yield a classification accuracy of 100%,92%,95%,96%,100%,100%,100%,96%,81%,and 92%,respectively.The test reveals the best timing with KNN,which maintained anaccuracy level of 100%.Assessing themodel generalization capability to newdata is essential to ensure the efficiencyof the model,so by applying a cross-validation experiment,the model generalization was measured.The useddataset was isolated based on the volume values to ensure the model generalization not only on new images of thesame volume but with a volume outside the trained range.Then,the predicted volume values were passed to theclassifiers group,where classification reported accuracy was found to be(100%,100%,100%,98%,88%,87%,100%,87%,97%,100%),respectively.Although obtaining a classification with high accuracy is the main motive,this workhas a remarkable reduction in the data preprocessing time compared to related works.The CGVP-CNN modelmanaged to reduce the data preprocessing time of previous works to 0.017 s while maintaining high classificationaccuracy using the estimated volume value.

Separation and analysis of six fractions in low temperature coal tar by column chromatography

The low temperature coal tar(CT)is taken as the raw material,and the extraction and column chromatography are used for detailed and accurate characterization in this paper.The n-heptane soluble fraction(CT-HS)and insoluble fraction(CT-HI)were obtained by n-heptane Soxhlet extraction.The extraction rate of CT-HS reached 92.79%(mass),which indicated that there are few heavy compounds in it.Further,different solvents(methylbenzene,benzene,ethyl acetate,methylbenzene-ethanol)were used to elute CT-HS by chromatographic column to obtain five fractions(saturates,aromatics,heteroatoms,phenolics and resins,named CT-SA,CT-AR,CT-HE,CT-PH,CT-RE,respectively).The yields of CTSA,CT-AR,CT-HE,CT-PH,CT-RE are 42.12%,10.43%,2.19%,9.50%and 6.63%(mass),respectively.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of eluting components show that alkanes are the main components in CT,followed by polycyclic aromatics,and the corresponding fractions are CT-SA and CT-AR,respectively.The relative content of aliphatics in CT-SA is 76.93%,and the relative content of aromatics in CT-AR is 75.05%.This separation technology effectively separates and enriches different components in CT,and the activation energy required for the pyrolysis process of a single eluting fraction is lower than that of CT,which is expected to provide an important reference for the separation,analysis and conversion of complex oil products such as coal-oil co-processing products,coal tar and other complex heavy carbon oil products.

Particle size distribution of coal and gangue after impact-crush separation

Based on the separation and backfilling system of coal and gangue, the mineral material impact experiments were conducted utilizing the hardness difference between coal and gangue according to the uniaxial compression experiments. The broken coal and gangue particles were collected and screened by different size meshes. The particle size distributions of coal and gangue under different impact velocities were researched according to the Rosin-Rammler distribution. The relationships between separation indicators and impact velocities were discussed. It is found from experiments that there is a fully broken boundary of coal material. The experimental results indicate that the Rosin-Rammler distribution could accurately describe the particle size distribution of broken coal and gangue under different impact velocities, and there is a minimum overlap region when the impact velocity is 12.10 m/s which leads to the minimum mixed degree of coal and gangue, and consequently the benefit of coal and gangue separation.

Optimization strategy and procedure for coal bed methane separation

Coal bed methane （CBM） has a huge potential to be purified to relieve the shortage of natural gas meanwhile to weaken the greenhouse effect. This paper proposed an optimal design strategy for CBM to obtain an integrated process configuration consisting of three each single separation units, membrane, pressure swing absorption, and cryogenics. A superstructure model was established including all possible network configurations which were solved by MINLP. The design strategy optimized the separation unit configuration and operating conditions to satisfy the target of minimum total annual process cost. An example was presented for the separation of CH4/N2 mixtures in coal bed methane （CBM） treatment. The key operation parameters were also studied and they showed the influence to process configurations.

Group separation of coal components and new ideas of coal utilization as petroleum

Four different groups of components were separated from coal under mild conditions of extraction and stripping process. Within these groups, and with pre-separation, individual utilization of all coal components can be realized, similar to petroleum components and enhance the inherent value and utilization value of coal, as well as increase environmental benefits. The characteristics of each component were analyzed with measurements by FTIR, GC/MS, TEM and the establishment of caking properties. The results show that coal can be separated into residues, ultra-pure coal, asphaltene components and light components by adding solvents for stripping into the CS2/NMP mixed extraction solution. Those four groups of components present great differences in the presence of carbon and hydrogen elements, in the structure of functional groups, in their macroscopic structure and micro-morphology and caking properties. Every component possesses its own inherent values and approaches. A new idea of coal processes and utilization, similar to the use of petroleum is proposed.

Sponge Effect on Coal Mine Methane Separation Based on Clathrate Hydrate Method

The findings were presented from laboratory investigations on the hydrate formation and dissociation processes employed to recover methane from coal mine gas.The separation process of coal mine methane(CMM) was carried out at 273.15K under 4.00 MPa.The key process variables of gas formation rate,gas volume stored in hydrate and separation concentration were closely investigated in twelve THF-SDS-sponge-gas systems to verify the sponge effect in these hydrate-based separation processes.The gas volume stored in hydrate is calculated based on the measured gas pressure.The CH4 mole fraction in hydrate phase is measured by gas chromatography to confirm the separation efficiency.Through close examination of the overall results,it was clearly verified that sponges with volumes of 40,60 and 80 cm 3 significantly increase gas hydrate formation rate and the gas volume stored in hydrate,and have little effect on the CH4 mole fraction in hydrate phase.The present study provides references for the application of the kinetic effect of porous sponge media in hydrate-based technology.This will contribute to CMM utilization and to benefit for local and global environment.

Group separation and analysis of a carbon disulfide-soluble fraction from Shenfu coal by column chromatography

A carbon disulfide-soluble fraction (CDSSF) from Shenfu coal was separated into five fractions by silica-gel column chromatography using hexane and n-hexane/ethyl acetate binary eluent. The five fractions include four clear group fractions and a nonpolar fraction. All the fractions were analyzed by GC/MS. A total of 204 compounds were detected from the original CDSSF and its further separated fractions, with 173 compounds more than those detected by studying the original CDSSF directly. The results demonstrate a clear group separation by column chromatography in coal organic components and a more accessibility to coal components compared with the solvent extraction only.

Dry Separation of Iron Minerals from Low-Grade Coal-series Kaolin

Dry separation of iron mineral from low-grade coal-series kaolin in Hubei Province of China was investigated. The structure and chemical composition of the kaolin ore were determined by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence(XRF) analyses. The narrow particle size range classification, dry magnetic separation and calcination were carried out to evaluate the particle size distribution, and the relation between the content of iron and the whiteness. Experimental results revealed that the highest content of iron(3.70%) in kaolin ore was in the particle size range from 60 to 74 μm, and pyrite was the main occurrence of iron in the kaolin ore. Dry magnetic separation showed that the removal rate of iron in kaolin ore could be increased obviously after calcination, and the rate of iron removal was 60% in the particle size range from 60 to 74 μm. As pyrite can be transformed into hematite through calcination, thermodynamic studies and XRD analysis showed that the maximum content of hematite was obtained at 900 ℃, which would be more beneficial to magnetic separation.

Insights in active pulsing air separation technology for coarse coal slime by DEM-CFD approach

To research a novel technology for dry coarse coal slime beneficiation and extend its application, active pulsing air separation technology was investigated by DEM-CFD coupling simulation approach. The results show that the ash content of feed is reduced by 10% 15% and the organic efficiency is up to 91.78% by using the active pulsing air separation technology. The gas solid flow in the active pulsing air classifier was simulated. Meanwhile, the characteristics of particle motion and the separation process of different particles were analyzed, and the mechanical structure of the classifier was also modified to achieve high separation efficiency. Therefore, a novel high-efficiency dry beneficiation technique was advanced for coarse coal slime.

Triboelectrostatic Separation-an Efficient Method of Producing Low Ash Clean Coal

At present, coal is mainly consumed as fuel. In fact, coal is also a kind of precious raw material in chemical industry on the premise that some harmful minerals should be removed from coal. The paper presents the results of the research on producing low ash (<2%) coal with triboelectrostatic separator used for producing high-grade active carbon. The test is conducted in bench-scale system, whose capacity is 30～100 kg/h. The results indicate that: 1) the ash content of clean coal increases with the increase of solid content of feedstock, on the contrary, the yield of clean coal is declining; 2) a high velocity may result in a good separation efficiency; 3) for the same solid content, the reunion caused by intermolecular force makes the separation efficiency drop down when the ultra-fine coal is separated; 4) the separation efficiency is improved with the increase of electric field intensity, but there is a good optimized match between the electric field intensity and yield of clean coal; 5) a low rank coal is easy-to-wash in triboelectrostatic separation process; 6) the yield of clean coal can be enhanced and the ash decreased through adapting optimized conditions according to various coals.

Research on Separation of Minor Elements from Coal During Combustion

On the basis of sampling and testing for coal and its ash in power-plant, the changes of separation of minor elements from coal in burning process and the distribution and enrichment of minor elements in ashes were analyzed. The coal combustion tests were carried out at five different temperatures. The concentration of minor elements separated and the separation ratio were studied. Separation characteristic of minor elements from coal and coal gangue in the process of spontaneous combustion was also analyzed.

Study on Fractional Separation and GC-MS Analysis of Flash Coal Tar Pyrolysed at Low Temperatures

The composition of low temperature pyrolysis coal tar has an effect on its further processing and reasomble utlization In this paper, the compeition or coal tars produced from both low temperature pyroysis in a fluidized bed aud flash pyrolysis with solid heat carrier have been investigated by the methch of fractional seperation and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)- It is observed that the degree of coalification maceral and secondary reaction temperature (freeboard temperature in a fluidized bed) have some iufluence on the composition of coal tars- The main compoundes are phenol cresols,xylenols, naphthalene, alkylnaphthalenes, antbraceue, phenanthrene,acenaphthylene, fluoren, indene and so

Parametric study of electrostatic separation of South African fine coal

The fact that water requirements are a major problem for present and future developments in material beneficiation, and the construction of a new power plant in South Africa, forms the basis for the utilization of a Rotary Triboelectrostatic Separator (RTS) for beneficiation of South African pulverized coal. The cleaning potential of Majuba and Koorfontein coal was first evaluated using kinetic froth flotation tests on the -177 μm coal fraction. The RTS tests were conducted under varied process parameters. Parameters such as applied separating voltage, air injection velocity, particle feed rate and splitter position were investigated. Two stage separation results show that the RTS reduced Majuba coal initially containing about 30% ash to a clean product of 14.30%, or 19.46%, ash at a combustible recovery of 15.10%, or 53.02%, respectively. Similar separation performance was also achieved with the Koorfontein coal. The mineral and organic compositions in the feed, after single stage and after the second stage separations were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show a better separation for the second stage coal products.

Separation of Acearylenes from High-Temperature Coal Tar

High-temperature coal tar was extracted with petroleum ether(PE) under ultrasonic irradiation and the extracts were analyzed with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer.The acearylene fractions including acenaphthylene,aceanthrylene and cyclopentapyrene were enriched together and named E,which was then transferred to a cartridge in Isolera-One flash chromatography.Three groups of compounds were eluted out with ethyl acetate/PE mixed solvent(volume ratio 1:9) and named E 1,E 2 and E 3 according to their main components.Acenaphthylene accounted for 78.2% in E 1,aceanthrylene 71.6% in E 2 and cyclopentapyrene 75.9% in E 3,respectively.The three groups of acearylenes were purified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography with ethanol/cyclohexane mixed solvent(volume ratio 1:4),and then confirmed with nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.This method indicates that flash chromatography has a good effect on separating the compounds with a similar structure after extraction under ultrasonic irradiation.

Progress in carbon dioxide separation and capture: A review

This article reviews the progress made in CO2 separation and capture research and engineering. Various technologies, such as absorption, adsorption, and membrane separation, are thoroughly discussed. New concepts such as chemical-looping combustion and hydrate-based separation are also introduced briefly. Future directions are suggested. Sequestration methods, such as forestation, ocean fertilization and mineral carbonation techniques are also covered. Underground injection and direct ocean dump are not covered.

Preparation of magnetically separable mesoporous activated carbons from brown coal with Fe3O4

Magnetically separable mesoporous activated carbon was prepared from brown coal in the presence of Fe3O4 as a bi-functional additive.Magnetic activated carbon(MAC)was characterized by lowtemperature nitrogen adsorption,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)and vibrating sample magnetometry(VSM).The evolution behaviors and transition mechanism of Fe3O4 during the preparation of MAC were investigated.The results show that prepared MAC with 6 wt%Fe3O4 addition having a specific surface area and mesopore ratio of 370 m^2·g^-1 and 55.7%,which meet the requirements of adsorption application and magnetic recovery.Highly dispersed iron-containing aggregates with the size of 0.1 lm in the MAC were observed.During the preparation of MAC,Fe3O4 could enhance the escape of volatiles during the carbonization.Fe3O4 could also accelerate burning off the carbon wall during activation,which leads to enlarging micropore size,then resulting in the generation of mesopore and macropore.As a result,a part of Fe3O4 converted into FeO,FeOOH,a-Fe,c-Fe,Fe2SiO4 and compound of Aluminum-iron-silicon.The prepared activated carbon,which was magnetized by both of residual Fe3O4,reduced a-Fe and c-Fe,can be easily separated from the original solution by external magnetic field.

A continuous and high-efficiency process to separate coal bed methane with porous ZIF-8 slurry:Experimental study and mathematical modelling

Coal bed methane has been considered as an important energy resource.One major difficulty of purifying coal bed methane comes from the similar physical properties of CH_4 and N_2.The ZIF-8/water-glycol slurry was used as a medium to separate coal bed methane by fluidifying the solid adsorbent material.The sorption equilibrium experiment of binary mixture(CH_4/N_2)and slurry was conducted.The selectivity of CH_4 to N_2 is within the range of 2-6,which proved the feasibility of the slurry separation method.The modified Langmuir equation was used to describe the gas-slurry phase equilibrium behavior,and the calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental data.A continuous absorption-adsorption and desorption process on the separation of CH_4/N_2 in slurry is proposed and its mathematical model is also developed.Sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the operation conditions and the energy performance of the proposed process was also evaluated.Feed gas contains 30 mol%of methane and the methane concentration in product gas is 95.46 mol%with the methane recovery ratio of 90.74%.The total energy consumption for per unit volume of product gas is determined as 1.846 kWh Nm^(-3).Experimental results and process simulation provide basic data for the design and operation of pilot and industrial plant.

Negative-pressure pneumatic separator:a new solution for hard-coal beneficiation

Hard coal is an important source of energy worldwide.Owing to the imperfections of excavation technology,most run-of-mine coals must be processed before they can be utilised as fuel.In this study,tests on the dry separation process were performed with numerous different raw hard coal and coal waste material samples,using a newly designed and constructed negative-pressure pneumatic separator(NPPS).The experiments revealed the effects of the feed-material properties and material processing conditions.These experiments were preceded by additional tests for evaluating the influence of each device operating parameter on the process,to determine the optimal method of supplying the feed material.The calorific value of the processed materials was improved by 5%–40%,while a minimal output yield of products(60%–70%)was maintained.The trials indicated that in coal material processing,the developed NPPS can be used for not only raw coal enrichment but also coal recovery from materials stored at coal-waste dumps.The main advantages of the device are its mobility,low material processing cost,and lack of water consumption during operation.

Dry coal fly ash cleaning using rotary triboelectrostatic separator

More than 80 million metric tons of fly ash is produced annually in the U.S. as coal combustion by-product. Coal fly ash can be converted to value-added products if unburned carbon is reduced to less than 2.5%. However, most of fly ash is currently landfilled as waste due to lack of efficient purification technologies to separate unburned carbon from fly ash. A rotary triboelectrostatic separator has been developed and patented recently at the University of Kentucky with unique features. Several fly ash samples have been used to understand the effects of major process parameters on the separation performance. The results show that compared to existing triboelectrostatic separators, the rotary triboelectrostatic separator has significant advantages in particle charging efficiency, solids throughput, separation efficiency, applicable particle size range.