Dense Medium Cyclone Separation of Fine Coal: A Discussion on the Separation Lower Limit

The separation of fine coal has been widely discussed in the coal preparation industry due to its high economic potential. Dense medium cyclone (DMC) is the most efficient equipment available for fine coal separation. However, the industrial application of DMC is far from satisfactory due to operational difficulties and maintenance. In this research, particle settling behavior in a dense medium cyclone was analyzed for improved separation. The calculation result about feed pressure and separation lower limit, which fits the experimental data well, might be a guidance for industrial DMC design and operation. According to the calculation result, it is highly recommended that the separation lower limit be set at 0.2 mm rather than 0.1 mm, because the feed pressure head required for the latter (50 D) is three times higher than the former (15 D).

Automated summary

The separation of fine coal using dense medium cyclone (DMC) has high economic potential, but its industrial application faces challenges. This research analyzes particle settling behavior in a dense medium cyclone and provides guidance for improving separation efficiency.