Adolfo Fernandez Valdes

Coal recovery from coal fines cleaning wastes by agglomeration with vegetable oils : effects of oil type and concentration

The aim of this work was to obtain high calorific value products from coal fines cleaning wastes by agglomeration with vegetable oils. These residues are mainly being disposed of in dumps, causing important economic and environmental problems. Three Spanish coal fines wastes from different coal cleaning plants were agglomerated with crude and refined sunflower and soybean oils over a wide range of oil concentrations. The response of these fines wastes to agglomeration with the oils, was evaluated by the percentages of coal matter recovery, ash rejection and efficiency index. Speaking in terms of products quality, the best results were attained at the lowest oil concentrations, especially when the refined ones were used. In these cases, the agglomeration with vegetable oils allowed the recovery from coal fines wastes of a ready to burn fine coal fuel.

Coal recovery from fines cleaning wastes by agglomeration with colza oil: a contribution to the environment and energy preservation

The objectives of this work were to recover high-calorific value/low-ash content coals from coal fines cleaning wastes by agglomeration with colza oil and to decrease the risk of spontaneous combustion of the dump where the coal wastes are disposed of. Three Spanish coal fines wastes from different coal cleaning plants were agglomerated with refined colza oil over a wide range of oil concentration. The results were evaluated by the percentages of organic matter recovery and ash rejection as well as the ash content of the recovered coal and the amount of organic matter remaining in the dump after oil agglomeration. It was concluded that the agglomeration of coal fines wastes with colza oil allows the recovery of significant amounts of energy that is currently wasted and reduces the risk of spontaneous combustion of coal dumps as well as the amount of coal fines wastes to be handled and disposed of.