Magnetic desulphurization of coal

✍ Scribed by Sergio C. Trindade; Jack B. Howard; Henry H. Kolm; Gary J. Powers

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1974
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 445 KB
• Volume: 53
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0016-2361
• DOI: 10.1016/0016-2361(74)90007-6

✦ Synopsis

The rationale for magnetic demineralization of coal depends on the paramagnetism of a portion of the coal minerals, their liberation, and their capture by magnetic forces. Pyrite is especially important, being the major form of sulphur in many commercial coals. An experimental separator consisting of a column, packed with either steel wool or screens, inserted in the bore of a solenoid magnet was employed in the present systematic study of high-gradient magnetic separation techniques in cool-water slurries. Particle size fractions in the range O-600 /_rrn and slurry velocities up to 4.0 cm/s were studied. Practically all liberated pyritic sulphur was removed magnetically at a field of 20 kOe. Up to 90% of the solid material fed to the separator was recovered. The data confirmed the effects of particle size and slurry velocity that were predicted by a theoretical model, based on the force balance on a mineral particle in the vicinity of a magnetized strand. An economic analysis based on a conceptual continuous magnetic cleaning plant indicates that the process is commercially attractive.