Efficient use of Magnetite in Coal Beneficiation Plants for Heavy Media Separation - A case study

Abstract

Coal is a major commercial source of energy as a solid fuel for steel plants. The beneficiation of run of mine coal is mostly done by gravity separation using heavy media. Magnetite is the most widely used material for heavy media because of its higher stability in suspension, higher specific gravity, lower viscosity and easy avai-lability.Worldwide, almost 60% of total coal beneficiation is carried out by heavy media process. In India in 80% cases the heavy media used is magnetite. The paper esse-ntially deals with the magnetite stability factors, its preparation and recovery processes, its operational utilization and the existing systems in some Indian coal washing plants. A case study to operating system has been made with a view to identifying the major demerits and difficulties existing therein. Some remedial measures as applicable under Indian conditions have also beensuggested.