Upgrading of lignite using a combined novel drying and the FGX dry separation process

ABSTRACTLignite is a fossil fuel that will become increasingly important in the futurebecause it is an alternative raw material for the oil, gas, energy, and chemical industries. Based on an analysis of the nature of raw coal, this study investigated the upgrading of the lignite by a novel thermal drying process and processing the material on the FGX dry separation process. In the drying step the effects of airflow, temperature, and drying time on the drying characteristics of different bed materials were examined. For the FGX separation process effects of air (gas) velocity, frequency, and amplitude of the table on the separation efficiency of the machine were investigated. The results showed that the lignite could be upgraded effectively using the dual step-drying and processing process. The optimum drying parameters were v = 0.64 m3/s, T = 195°C, t = 5 min and with the best FGX sorting parameters were v = 0.56 m3/s, A = 3 mm, f = 30 Hz. Using these conditions from a feed ash of 32.0%, a clean coal with...