Washability studies and characterization of cleans of coking coal sample from BCCL, CIL, India

Coking coal is an essential prerequisite for production of Iron & Steel through blast furnace route. Systematic R&D studies on the availability of desired quality coking coal from indigenous resources have become imperative to minimize the dependence on imported coals. The Low Volatile Coking Coal (LVCC) constitutes about 50% of the total coking coal reserves in India. These coals are characterized by high ash content and difficult in cleaning potential. The present paper highlights the R&D investigations carried on a typical LVC coal of Bharat Coking Coal Limited. The run-of-mine (ROM) coal was crushed to 75 mm and detailed float and sink tests were carried out on the fraction 75–0.5mm basically to study the cleaning potentiates of the coal on washing. The coal fines were subjected to standard laboratory flotation tests to study the flotation behavior. Combined cleans was generated at 17.5% ash level and characterized for finding its utilization in metallurgical industries. The characterization studies revealed that the coal after suitable beneficiation may be used as a blendable coal for metallurgical purposes.