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Abstract
It is difficult to reduce the moisture content of fine coal refuse to a satisfactory level because of the high mineral content and the large capillary forces associated with small particle sizes. An experimental investigation of important operating variables on dewatering of fine coal refuse is reported. The cake permeability, cake formation time and final moisture content are used to measure the efficiency of moisture removal. Factors that were studied are the addition of coarse particles, level of vacuum, pH and the use of coagulants, flocculants and surfactants as additives. Addition of a flocculant was the most effective single means of improving dewatering and the permeability could be increased by more than an order of magnitude and the moisture content lowered by as much as 0.05 kg water/kg dry cake. It was found that the ionic nature and molecular weight of the flocculant, the flocculant dosage, the mixing time and the mixing intensity must be carefully studied to obtain optimal performance.