Upgrading coal fines using microalgae

摘要

A method for upgrading coal fines by separating out at least some mineral components is provided. The method comprises the treatment of optionally graded coal fines with micro-algae in aqueous medium to form a slurry under conditions that permit adsorption of micro-algae onto particles of coal fines. The slurry is treated to separate a first fraction that is rich in coal fines together with adsorbed micro-algae thereon from a second fraction that has more mineral components in it than does the first fraction and processing the first fraction to recover upgraded coal fines therefrom. Contacting is preferably carried out in a manner aimed at loading the coal fines generally evenly with microalgae adsorbed thereon in an amount of from 5 to 15% by weight of coal fines. Separation may be carried out by sedimentation, cyclone separation or flotation.