Commercial Coal Preparation Plants Capability for the Removal of Trace Elements

Abstract

Işıklar and Dereköy coal preparation plants clean lignite coals produced in Soma district. Run-of-mine coals contain trace elements and major elements that are associated with coal and inorganic matter. Trace elements are potentially harmful for human health and ecosystem. Physical coal cleaning is effective in reducing the concentration of many trace elements. In this study, the samples were collected from run-of-mine lignite (feed), coal preparation plant products, namely coarse (+18 mm) clean coal, fine (10-18mm, 0.5-10mm) clean coals, middlings, coarse and fine refuses and slimes from the Dereköy and Işıklar plants systematically and chemical analyses of ash, trace and major elements were performed on each sample. Trace elements contents and distributions in each product were determined. During the cleaning of run-of-mine lignites in Işıklar and Dereköy coal preparation plants, 54.69% and 72.04% ash have been removed from the plants, respectively. Around 1/3 of Ga and Rb contents of Işıklar feed and more than 1/3 of Ga, Rb, Sr, contents of Dereköy feed could be removed by ash. Referring to major elements, rejection of 60% Ca and 53% Mg from Işıklar, and 69% Ca and around 80% Mg from Dereköy plants have been achieved.