VIBRATION ASSISTED VACUUM DEWATERING OF FINE COAL PARTICLES

摘要

Fine coal particles are dewatered by mechanically removing water from the coal particles by vibration assisted vacuum dewatering to form a coal particle filter cake. The filter cake typically has a water content less than 35% by weight, suitable for extrusion to form discrete, non-tacky pellets. The vibration assisted vacuum dewatering may operate at a vibration frequency in the range from about 1 Hz to about 500 Hz. The vibration frequency may be adjusted during the dewatering process. In some embodiments, the vibration frequency is increased as the moisture content of the coal particle filter cake is decreased. Washing the filter cake during dewatering removes soluble contaminants. Various vibration assisted vacuum dewatering devices may be used, including a vibration assisted rotary vacuum dewatering drum, a vibration assisted vacuum disk filter, and a vibration assisted vacuum conveyor system.

主权项

1. A process for removing water from coal particles comprising:
obtaining a quantity of coal particles collected from coal fines that were processed to remove ash-forming component particles, wherein the coal particles have a particle size less than about 500 μm; and mechanically removing water from the coal particles by vibration assisted vacuum dewatering to form a coal particle filter cake having a water content less than 35% by weight.