Title: A case study of the modification potential of using spiral separators in the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal processing plant (Iran)

Authors: Behshad Jodeiri Shokri; Masoud Zare Naghadehi

Addresses: Department of Mining Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, 6516913733 Hamedan, Iran ' Department of Mining Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, 6516913733 Hamedan, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, the potential use of spiral separators in the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal processing plant in northeastern Iran is evaluated. The current circuit of the plant was carefully investigated. The necessary samples were collected from the overflow discharge of the hydro-cyclone and used to feed the pilot spiral circuit of the plant. The most important operating variables, including the feed size distribution, the feed pulp density and the feed rate, were considered at three levels (low, base and high) and analysed to determine the optimal spiral recovery. Twenty-seven experiments were designed according to the Taguchi method using an orthogonal array. The results revealed the optimal spiral recovery (68.8%) for specific levels of the considered parameters with an extensive sensitivity analysis. A new flow sheet of the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal washing plant, which involves two spiral separators is presented. [Received: March 1, 2017; Accepted: May 24, 2017]

Keywords: spiral separator; operation variables; circuit modification; Alborz-Sharghi coal washing plant; sensitivity analysis; Iran.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2018.091523

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2018 Vol.18 No.1/2, pp.85 - 105

Received: 01 Mar 2017
Accepted: 24 May 2017
Published online: 04 May 2018 *

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