Abstract:

The use of ultrasonic process has mostly been investigated for the flotation process in coal fines, but its application to agglomeration with oils is extremely limited. Therefore, the purpose of present study is to investigate the influence of ultrasound treatment on the oil agglomeration of lignite using kerosene. Ultrasonic process was used in two different ways, at the pretreatment stage and at the agglomeration stage, and different results were found. The use of ultrasonic at the pretreatment stage reduced the ash content of the lignite suspension and increased the combustible recovery. On the other hand, the use of ultrasonic at the agglomeration stage adversely affected the agglomeration of lignite. Other factors affecting the oil agglomeration were the power of ultrasonic and the duration of process, and it was concluded that the agglomeration success was increased by the low power value and the short-term ultrasonic process. As a result, coal with an ash content of 26.02% was cleaned with an ash content of 10.03% and a combustible recovery of 79.06% by ultrasonic pretreatment under optimal conditions.

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