1422 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
conditions, emphasizing the need for further explora-
tion and confirmation, possibly through shear strength
measurements.
The MLA methodology played a crucial role in under-
standing the impact of texture and coal liberation on pro-
cessing challenging seams. Positive correlations between
coal liberation and %ash in clean coal underscored the
importance of considering these factors in processing prob-
lematic seams.
Washability (Wn), evaluated by mine geologists, is rec-
ommended for predicting washability. A strong correlation
was found between Washability Number and the degree of
liberation for studied coal seams (A, B, and C), with Seam
B identified as the most challenging to clean.
In summary, a comprehensive approach involving Wn,
N-degree of washing parameters, PSD data, and identifi-
cation of clay minerals can serve as a warning system for
changing coal feed characteristics. To achieve accurate clay
identification, information on associated coal mineralogy
and liberation using FTIR and MLA is necessary. Micro-
FTIR or a machine-learning approach applied to XRD data
sets can enhance predictive characterization during explora-
tion, while automated mineralogy techniques can provide
detailed textural information on a smaller subset of samples.
REFERENCES
Bustin, R. M. (1982). The effect of shearing on the quality
of some coals in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera:
Canadian Institute of Mining and metallurgy. Bulletin,
75(841), 76–83.
Fandrich, R., Gu, Y., Burrows, D. and Moeller, K. 2007.
Modern SEM-based mineral liberation analysis,
International Journal of Mineral Processing, 84(1‑4):
310–320.
Gu, Y. 2003. Automated Scanning Electron Microscope
Based Mineral Liberation Analysis, Journal of Minerals
and Materials Characterization &Engineering, 2:
33–41.
Holuszko, M. E. 1994. Washability characteristics of
British Columbia coals, British Columbia Ministry of
Energy. Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1994-2.
Holuszko, M. E., and Grieve, D. A. 1992. Washability of
Peace River and East Kootenay coals. B.C. Ministry
of Energy. Mines and Petroleum Resource, Geological
Fieldwork 1991, 403–417.
Holuszko, M. E., and Mastalerz, M. D. 2015. Coal Macerals
Chemistry and Its Implications for Selectivity in Coal
Floatability. International Journal of Coal Preparation
and Utilization, 35(2): 99–110.
Holuszko, M. E., Laskowski, J. S., &Brown, D. G. 2004.
Handleability assessment of selected coals using
Durham Cone and Handleability Monitor. Coal
Preparation Multinational Journal, 24(3–4): 195–215.
Holuszko, M. E., Leeder, W. R., Mackay, M., Giroux, L.,
MacPhee, T., Ng, K. W., and Dexter, H. 2017. Effects
of organic liquids on coking properties of a higher-inert
Western Canadian coal. Fuel Processing Technology, 155
(Supplement C): 225–231.
Nayak, P. S., and Singh, B. K. 2007. Instrumental charac-
terization of clay by XRF, XRD and FTIR. Bulletin of
Materials Science, 30(3): 235–238.
Ramasamy, V. and Suresh, G. 2009. Mineral Characterization
and Crystalline Nature of Quartz in Ponnaiyar River
Sediments, Tamilnadu, India. American-Eurasian
Journal of Science Research, 4:103–107.
Sarkar, G.G., Bose, R.N., Mitra, S.K. and Lahiri, A.
1962. An Index for the Comparison and Correlation
of Washability Characteristics of Coal, Presented to
Fourth International Coal Preparation Congress,
Harrogate (U.K.), May-June, 1962.
Zhang, Y., Bo, X., Zhao, Y., and Nielsen, C. P. 2019.
Benefits of current and future policies on emissions
of China’s coal-fired power sector indicated by con-
tinuous emission monitoring. Environmental Pollution,
251: 415–424.
conditions, emphasizing the need for further explora-
tion and confirmation, possibly through shear strength
measurements.
The MLA methodology played a crucial role in under-
standing the impact of texture and coal liberation on pro-
cessing challenging seams. Positive correlations between
coal liberation and %ash in clean coal underscored the
importance of considering these factors in processing prob-
lematic seams.
Washability (Wn), evaluated by mine geologists, is rec-
ommended for predicting washability. A strong correlation
was found between Washability Number and the degree of
liberation for studied coal seams (A, B, and C), with Seam
B identified as the most challenging to clean.
In summary, a comprehensive approach involving Wn,
N-degree of washing parameters, PSD data, and identifi-
cation of clay minerals can serve as a warning system for
changing coal feed characteristics. To achieve accurate clay
identification, information on associated coal mineralogy
and liberation using FTIR and MLA is necessary. Micro-
FTIR or a machine-learning approach applied to XRD data
sets can enhance predictive characterization during explora-
tion, while automated mineralogy techniques can provide
detailed textural information on a smaller subset of samples.
REFERENCES
Bustin, R. M. (1982). The effect of shearing on the quality
of some coals in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera:
Canadian Institute of Mining and metallurgy. Bulletin,
75(841), 76–83.
Fandrich, R., Gu, Y., Burrows, D. and Moeller, K. 2007.
Modern SEM-based mineral liberation analysis,
International Journal of Mineral Processing, 84(1‑4):
310–320.
Gu, Y. 2003. Automated Scanning Electron Microscope
Based Mineral Liberation Analysis, Journal of Minerals
and Materials Characterization &Engineering, 2:
33–41.
Holuszko, M. E. 1994. Washability characteristics of
British Columbia coals, British Columbia Ministry of
Energy. Mines and Petroleum Resources, Paper 1994-2.
Holuszko, M. E., and Grieve, D. A. 1992. Washability of
Peace River and East Kootenay coals. B.C. Ministry
of Energy. Mines and Petroleum Resource, Geological
Fieldwork 1991, 403–417.
Holuszko, M. E., and Mastalerz, M. D. 2015. Coal Macerals
Chemistry and Its Implications for Selectivity in Coal
Floatability. International Journal of Coal Preparation
and Utilization, 35(2): 99–110.
Holuszko, M. E., Laskowski, J. S., &Brown, D. G. 2004.
Handleability assessment of selected coals using
Durham Cone and Handleability Monitor. Coal
Preparation Multinational Journal, 24(3–4): 195–215.
Holuszko, M. E., Leeder, W. R., Mackay, M., Giroux, L.,
MacPhee, T., Ng, K. W., and Dexter, H. 2017. Effects
of organic liquids on coking properties of a higher-inert
Western Canadian coal. Fuel Processing Technology, 155
(Supplement C): 225–231.
Nayak, P. S., and Singh, B. K. 2007. Instrumental charac-
terization of clay by XRF, XRD and FTIR. Bulletin of
Materials Science, 30(3): 235–238.
Ramasamy, V. and Suresh, G. 2009. Mineral Characterization
and Crystalline Nature of Quartz in Ponnaiyar River
Sediments, Tamilnadu, India. American-Eurasian
Journal of Science Research, 4:103–107.
Sarkar, G.G., Bose, R.N., Mitra, S.K. and Lahiri, A.
1962. An Index for the Comparison and Correlation
of Washability Characteristics of Coal, Presented to
Fourth International Coal Preparation Congress,
Harrogate (U.K.), May-June, 1962.
Zhang, Y., Bo, X., Zhao, Y., and Nielsen, C. P. 2019.
Benefits of current and future policies on emissions
of China’s coal-fired power sector indicated by con-
tinuous emission monitoring. Environmental Pollution,
251: 415–424.