Determination of the effect of different gravity methods on the removal of ash and sulfur from Arguvan lignite

Abstract

This study, it is aimed to find out the beneficiation of Malatya-Arguvan lignite by gravity methods. First of all, the washability of lignite has been investigated with sink-float experiments. It has been determined that lignite washability from washing curves is generally difficult but may be possible with controlled washing at a density of 1.68 g /cm3. Then, to remove ash and sulfur from lignite by shaking table, spiral and Falcon concentrator tests were conducted. Clean coals are obtained from all other methods except Falcon were found to decrease in ash and sulfur content and increase in calorific value. Clean coals with the lowest ash and sulfur content were obtained with a spiral concentrator. Reichert spiral results showed that the ash content decreased from the lignite of 37.77% to 26.50% and the sulfur content from 3.85% to 2.08%. The calorific value increased from 2576 kcal/kg to 4590 kcal/kg. Arguvan lignite has very limited usage due to lower calorific value, high ash and sulfur content. Although enrichment has been carried out, it has been concluded that lignite needs to be further improved by using different methods.