One of the biggest challenges facing coal-fired power plants is the impact of low-quality coal.
Here are just a few of those effects:
Innovative Solutions in Coal Beneficiation
Coal washing (coal Beneficiation) only removes surface impurities due to the low degree of liberated minerals, and the CAPEX and OPEX of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) are prohibitively high. EnFloTech is currently exploring the Desander technology as a solution. Implementing a post-milling beneficiation process alongside a smaller footprint and cost of existing methods will support sustainable coal-fired power generation while ensuring compliance with future legislation.
The Desander is a modular component integrated into the mill that channels pulverised coal into fluidising chambers. These chambers are agitated by pulsating air, creating a dry-based pulsating fluidised bed. High-density minerals such as quartz, silica, and pyrites settle at the bottom of the fluidised chamber, allowing for their extraction from the process. Meanwhile, lower-density carbon is reintroduced, thereby reducing the ash content in the coal.
The Desander technology, as part of the coal beneficiation process, will aim to remove enough of these ash-contributing elements of coal to:
- reduce mill pulveriser, PF pipe, burner and boiler wear
- removal of inorganic sulphur (FeS2 and Sulphates) before coal is burnt as a preventative approach to reducing and controlling SOx emissions
- reduction in re-circulating load in mill and a reduction in mill DP and stabilisation of mill motor power draw and increased throughput
The Desander is currently in the R&D phase, and EnFloTech is actively working on a proof of concept to ensure its successful commercial rollout. This innovation aims to make a significant contribution to 21st-century coal-fired power generation.
