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By W. C. Williamson, J. L. Shugert

DUST control is receiving considerable attention today by most companies as is evidenced by the many articles, papers, and books written on the subject. ~~~t of the larger mining companies have given this subject close study and have established standardized methods of control. W. C. WILLIAMSON and J. L. SHUGERT, Members AIME, are Assistant Ventilation Engineers, Anaconda Copper Mining Co., Butte, Mont. San Francisco Meeting, February 1949. TP 2705 A. Discussion of this paper (2 copies) may be sent to Transactions AIME before Feb. 28, 1950. Manuscript received Jan. 17, 1949. Permissible Limits: The question of permissible dust limits has been considered by medical commit-ties and various national conferences. Dr. Lanza, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Dr. Le-roy U. Gardner, of the Saranac Laboratory for the study of Tuberculosis, and Dr. Pancoast, of the University of Pennsylvania, have been members of these committees. A statement included in reports of some of these committees is as follows: Concentrations to which the dust must be induced in order to be safe have not been absolutely determined. There is evidence that a concentration of more than five million particles per cubic foot of a highly siliceous dust is dangerous. Therefore, it may be stated that it is desirable to avoid counts of more than five million particles of dust containing free silica to a high percent in working places. Table I gives the safe limits adopted by several state industrial codes. Table I. Safe Limits of Dust Concentration Limit Million Particles State Per Cu Ft Cal~fornia Silica (less rhdn 10 pct) 50 Silica (10 pct to 50 pcr) 10 Sllica (more than 50 pct) 5 New York Frcc silica less than 10 pet by weight of rock formation 100 Frec silica more than 10 Pct by weight of rock formation 10 Oregon Silica (over 40 pct) 5 Silica (20 to 40 pct) 10 Silica (10 to 20 pet) 20 Wisconsin 15 million particles, under 10 nicrons in longest dimension per cu ft of air, when the quartz content of the dust is 35 pct, variations in free silica content will make proportional inverse changer in this standard Close attention to dust concentrations has been given to mining operations, since these operations are frequently carried on at considerable distances

Jan 1, 1951

By J. L. Shugert, W. C. Williamson

DUST control is receiving considerable attention today by most companies as is evidenced by the many articles, papers, and books written on the subject. ~~~t of the larger mining companies have given this subject close study and have established standardized methods of control. W. C. WILLIAMSON and J. L. SHUGERT, Members AIME, are Assistant Ventilation Engineers, Anaconda Copper Mining Co., Butte, Mont. San Francisco Meeting, February 1949. TP 2705 A. Discussion of this paper (2 copies) may be sent to Transactions AIME before Feb. 28, 1950. Manuscript received Jan. 17, 1949. Permissible Limits: The question of permissible dust limits has been considered by medical commit-ties and various national conferences. Dr. Lanza, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Dr. Le-roy U. Gardner, of the Saranac Laboratory for the study of Tuberculosis, and Dr. Pancoast, of the University of Pennsylvania, have been members of these committees. A statement included in reports of some of these committees is as follows: Concentrations to which the dust must be induced in order to be safe have not been absolutely determined. There is evidence that a concentration of more than five million particles per cubic foot of a highly siliceous dust is dangerous. Therefore, it may be stated that it is desirable to avoid counts of more than five million particles of dust containing free silica to a high percent in working places. Table I gives the safe limits adopted by several state industrial codes. Table I. Safe Limits of Dust Concentration Limit Million Particles State Per Cu Ft Cal~fornia Silica (less rhdn 10 pct) 50 Silica (10 pct to 50 pcr) 10 Sllica (more than 50 pct) 5 New York Frcc silica less than 10 pet by weight of rock formation 100 Frec silica more than 10 Pct by weight of rock formation 10 Oregon Silica (over 40 pct) 5 Silica (20 to 40 pct) 10 Silica (10 to 20 pet) 20 Wisconsin 15 million particles, under 10 nicrons in longest dimension per cu ft of air, when the quartz content of the dust is 35 pct, variations in free silica content will make proportional inverse changer in this standard Close attention to dust concentrations has been given to mining operations, since these operations are frequently carried on at considerable distances

Jan 1, 1951

By Moussa Wone, Jeff Peterson, Filippo Azzarà, Daniele Nebbia

The DC Water and Sewer Authority's Long Term Control Plan includes tunnels, sewer separation, pumping station rehabilitation and green infrastructure to reduce combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges to the District waterways. The Northeast Boundary Tunnel is a deep, large sewer tunnel that will reduce CSO discharges; signifi- cantly mitigate known chronic flooding in the Northeast Boundary drainage area and improve the water quality of the Anacostia River. This paper presents the unique combination of Owner and Contractor perspectives of the entire Project from conception through procurement, execution, and contract management, providing lesson learned, chal- lenges encountered, and solutions implemented to deliver the Project successfully.

Jun 23, 2024

By Prasad S. Mulukutla

INTRODUCTION The use of specialty chemicals In mining Is an Important consideration In determining the economic efficiency of a floatation plant. The plant metallurgist would like to maximize the recovery of valuable minerals while maintaining an acceptable grade product. The direct cost of the reagents, while significant, Is only a part of their economic effect. Reagents determine the flotation rates and the selectivity of the mineral separation. In flotation practice, mineral selectivity can be achieved through the addition of various reagents that can control the wettablllty of a particular mineral In the flotation pulp. The reagents which will generally optimize the flotation process are commonly classified Into three distinctive categories: collectors frothers and modifiers. Large tonnages of metal sulphide concentrates which are the source of most of the common base metals are produced economically by fairly standard flotation techniques. The advent of modern technology coupled with the necessity of processing finely disseminated and complex ores of low grade has Increased the need for utilization of non traditional and high selective chemicals reagents for the economic recovery of metals and raw materials. Mining operations in developing countries continue to progress at a rapid growth as many countries mine and process both metallic and nonmetallic ores. The total mine production of base metals, precious metals, Iron ores and coal In developing countries In Africa, Asia and South America has been much higher as compared to the western world production In terms of tonnage and dollar value. Global capital Investments In mining during 1991-95 Is $ 55.1 billion and It Is anticipated that the development of new and specialty reagents may be concentrated In the processing of aluminum , copper, precious metals and Industrial minerals with special reference to potash, phosphates, kaolin and silica sands.(1) The challenge for the design and development of new specialty chemicals Is dependent on Its cost performance and environmental acceptability. Information on the theory and application on the development of mining chemicals has been reviewed In several conference proceedlngs,(2-4) publications(5) and also discussed by several Individual authors.(1,6-10) These publications serve as a comprehensive reference source on the reagents used In several flotation processes. This paper discusses the present trend in the use of specialty mining chemicals In diversified mining operations on several mineral systems with particular reference to sulfide ore systems. The necessity to expose these specialty chemicals through aggressive marketing techniques In mining operations In many developing countries Is also presented. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS Specialty mining chemicals, like other specialty chemicals, share common business characteristics that transcend geographic boundaries. They are manufactured 1n a few selected areas, generally expensive relative to commodity chemicals, shipped and compete globally and usually require specialized knowledge for proper use. Specialty mining chemicals are relative newcomers to chemical markets. The vast majority of mining chemicals are derived from products that are less than two decades old. Traditional collectors and frothers have been available for a considerably longer time. The emphasis on adding value to existing products and byproducts Is responsible for several characteristic features of the mining chemicals business. Most raw materials for these chemicals are related to oil and gas byproducts, chemical refineries, pulp and paper mills and all chemical manufacturers. Until the last several years these operations were located In Industrialized countries, while a significant number of mining chemical users were In developing countries. Therefore International trade In mining chemicals developed through agencies or agents in each particular country.

Jan 1, 1993

By David L. Anderson

"The government o f Canada has, since 1981, been under intense political pressure to modify its foreign direct investment (FOI) regulatory regime(1). To date the government's response has been limited to administrative and ""cosmetic"" changes: substantive issues have been largely ignored(2). However, as long as the economy continues to flounder , the Foreign Investment Review Agency (FIRA), as it is presently formulated , will continue to be an easy target for government critics . This phenomenon, in conjunction with the virtual certainty of a federal general election within two years, suggests that changes to the FIR Act will be seriously entertained by the present government.Recent events indicate that if change s are made, they will likely entail the adoption of a special-sector approach within the existing framework of a general screening system(3). Since this approach is currently employed in Australia(4), it would seem to be appropriate, from a public policy perspective to study that country's experience in developing and operating such a scheme. In doing so, I shall focus on the mineral sector; the rationale for doing so is as follows. First, this sector served as the focal point of the Australian FOI regulatory debater(5), Second , with the exception of the oil and gas industries, the non-petroleum mineral sector is one of the few areas of the Canadian economy wherein the Trudeau government has adopted an explicit domestic ownership target(6). Third, the non-petroleum mineral sector is, undoubtedly, a prime candidate to be denoted a s a special-sector if such a framework were to be utilized by the Canadian government!"".Although international comparisons are fraught with danger , a Canadian/Australian comparison is particularly appropriate(8). Both countries have reasonably similar economic, political and social structures . Furthermore, as noted above , Australia is the only other western country which employs a general screening mechanism for FOI. In addition, it utilizes a special area approach ; within this scheme, an explicit target of a minimum of 50% Australian ownership of all new resource projects has been formulated and clearly promulgated to all of the relevant interest groups. This policy, broadly defined, has been in place for more than six years and during this time the Australian mineral sector has, by world standards, prospered(9). Hence, the Australian experience in designating the mineral sector as a key area within a general screening system, should be of interest to Canadian policy-makers."

Jan 1, 1984

By C. O’Hara, S. Roy, K. Swedburg, J. Katchen

"New Gold Inc.’s New Afton concentrator commenced operation in June 2012, producing a copper-gold-silver concentrate. During the first two years of operation, various optimization efforts have improved mill throughput, recoveries and concentrate grade. Daily mill throughput has increased 20% above the design rate. This was achieved through more consistent instantaneous feed rate and size distribution from the mine reclaim stockpile, higher pebble crusher reliability, changes to the SAG and ball mill grinding media sizes, larger SAG grate openings, reduced SAG discharge screen-deck aperture size and an increase in the maximum ball mill power draw limit. Metal recoveries at New Afton are primarily limited by liberation in the coarser size fractions; therefore, improving the grind size at a given mill throughput has been the main means of improving recovery. The average rougher flotation feed F80 size was reduced from 175µm in Q1 2013 to 165µm in Q1 2014, while the average operating mill throughput increased by 25%. Other flotation circuit changes focusing on recovery improvement include the addition of froth crowders to the rougher cells and the use of a stronger frother. The average concentrate grade increased from 22% Cu in Q1 2013 to 25% Cu in Q1 2014. This was achieved by redirecting the flash flotation concentrate stream to the regrind circuit and by the addition of lime to the cleaner circuit.This paper describes the above improvements made at the New Afton mill. The paper describes the objectives, timing and end result of each area of improvement.IntroductionThe New Afton Mine is situated approximately 10km west of Kamloops, British Columbia, 340km north-east of Vancouver. The mine has a moderate climate, access to transportation and electrical infrastructure, nearby fresh water supply, and close proximity to industrial and mining service businesses. The population of Kamloops is around 90,000 with most mine employees living in or around the city."

Jan 1, 2015

By JAMES J. DOUGHERTY

THIS paper is a general discussion of developments in our reverberatory smelting practice during the past five years. It deals briefly kith changes in furnace types ; changes in furnace feed ; de- crease in the amount of slag produced; relation of slag assays to copper loss in the slag; increase in the grade of matte and furnace capacities. The reverberatory is but one unit in the copper plant ancl 'any discussion of it must be considered with reference to the other units and to the plant as a whole. A change in the grade of concentrates at the concentrator puts an entirely new aspect on reverberatory smelting and, likewise, a change in the grade of matte at the reverberatory affects the rate and cost of converting. The introduction of differential flotation in 1927 had a very marked influence on all smelting operations and its effect will be noted

Jan 1, 1930

By Joel S. Leventhal

The roles of organic matter in ore deposits are complex and represent a specialized effort in the larger subject of the geochemistry of ore deposits. The organic carbon cycle can be considered with particular emphasis to ore deposits in order to understand the origin and genesis of the organic matter. Organic matter may play one, several, or none of the following important roles in the formation of ore deposits: leaching, transport, concentration, reduction, and precipitation of metals. For deposits that contain organic matter, detailed field relationships and laboratory characterization of the organic matter are required to make an ore deposit model that Includes the organic matter and specifies its role(s). Examples of the involvement of organic matter in several types of uranium deposits are contrasted as being direct or indirect, syngenetic or epigenetic, and necessary or unnecessary. Examples of organic matter in deposits containing gold and lead-zinc, and In metal rich shale are discussed with respect to ongoing work and critical questions.

Jan 1, 2013

By A. K. Fallaw, G. Wang, L. R. Moore, S. Dobson, Y. Xiong, J. Gu

"As ores degrade, mining techniques and chemistries change to meet market demand and maintain product quality. The balance of recovery and grade is a significant challenge in the Crago Process where an anionic collector is used to float phosphate, followed by acid scrubbing, then an amine float to improve product grade. As the grade is a requirement for DAP and MAP production, recovery is the criteria to suffer. Phosphate losses in the amine float can bring overall recovery down by as much as 18%, creating a growing need to think outside the box to improve recovery. This paper will focus on the theory of amine tail recycling and the best methods to optimize the overall phosphate recovery by recycling the tails from the cleaner flotation step. INTRODUCTION In 2014 the total US phosphate production was down 13% over the prior year, from 31.9 to 27.1 Mt, which accounts for 12.32% of the world’s phosphate rock production. Florida and North Carolina phosphate production accounted for 80% of total US phosphate production, which was down from 85% the previous year. This decline is due in part to the closing of the last phosphate mine in Polk County, FL - which had an operating phosphate mine for over 100 years (Gurr, 2015). Another factor contributing to the reduction in contribution from FL & NC is the increasing challenges in beneficiating the remaining ore deposits. The Central Florida mining district has historically been in the Bone Valley deposit, where raw apatite was abundant with P2O5 values as high as 15%. The Bone Valley ore also had characteristics favorable to beneficiation to 27.5-29.7 %P2O5 while achieving recoveries above 86%. The move southward into the Hawthorne Formation has seen the ore feed grade hit some historic lows, and the matrix characteristics pose more challenges to phosphate producers. The Hawthorne Formation experienced lateritic weathering after the Bone Valley formation which altered the apatite to aluminum phosphate minerals, and alteration of montmorillonite to kaolinite, releasing MgO that caused the dolomitization of the top of the Hawthorne limestone (Cathcart, 1966). Elevated levels of dolomite can yield an increase in slurry viscosities, reduce production rates, and increase energy costs in the wet-acid fertilizer process. The MgO will also act to dilute grade, making it more difficult to achieve a standard 18-46-0 product (McHardy, 1981)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Sejong Kim, Younghoon Moon, Youngseon Lee, Eunyoo Yoon, Yonghyun Song

"Mg alloy has a high specific strength, however, their thickness reduction was limited on most parts because of their poor stiffness. Since the modulus of rigidity is an intrinsic property, improvement of modulus of rigidity to the enhancement of stiffness is impossible. Therefore, the modification of shape and structure is available method to enhance the stiffness of real part fabricated by Mg alloy sheet. There are many thin walled parts which are located in outer section of electromagnetic system.Poor stiffness is often shown on wide surface area part with steel sheet, which has also high modulus of rigidity. In these cases, various groove patterns are used to increase the stiffness of part. However, some different methods have to be used when general groove pattern can’t be used. So, we would like to propose some new method to high stiffness on thin walled precision forging of Al or Mg alloys.An effect of proposed method on stiffness enhancement can be confirmed by fabrication of prototypes as well as structure and forming analysis based on FEM."

Jan 1, 2015

By Bernard E. Weichman

The oil shales in the Piceance Creek Basin of northwest Colorado occur in the Parachute Creek member of the Green River formation. The oil shales were deposited in a unique environment of deposition which caused the mineral nahcolite (NaHC03) to be precipitated within the oil shales. Post-depositional tectonics resulted in extensive fracturing of the Middle Zone of the Parachute Creek member, and to a lesser degree portions of the Lower Zone, which allowed percolating ground waters to dissolve the nahcolite in the fractured portion of the oil shale beds which is characterized by broken porous oil shale, certain beds of which have collapsed into rubble and debris. The extent and porosity of the Leach Zone aquifer is dependent upon the percentage of kerogen and nahcolite originally deposited in the oil shale. Any oil shale development program in the Piceance Creek Basin of northwest Colorado will need to be preceeded by an extensive study of the Leach Zone in order to determine the effects on a mining program.

Jan 1, 1973

By Breno Carvalho de Oliveira

A prática da manutenção evita a ocorrência de falhas e reduz significativamente os ganhos na produtividade e qualidade do produto. Devido a sua importância, empresas de logística e operações ferroviárias tem buscado através da adoção de novas tecnologias, tornar esse processo mais dinâmico, confiável e eficiente. O presente estudo de caso aborda a implantação do sistema de gestão da confiabilidade Failure Box (FBOX), que utiliza metodologias e técnicas embasadas no tratamento de perdas pontuais e sistêmicas. O resultado deste processo é a padronização, disponibilidade e confiabilidade dos ativos, contribuindo assim para crescimento e otimização do sistema de gestão da manutenção.

Oct 30, 2017

By Johnny Zhang, Yang Anguo, Li Weifeng, Xueyi Guo

"SKSTM oxygen bottom blowing smelting technology was developed by SKS-ENFI at SKS Smelter, Hunan in the 1990s to replace the conventional sintering process and thus to meet the high national EHS standard for lead.Since then, two major milestones have been achieved:1. Since 2002, the SKS oxygen bottom blowing smelting-blast furnace reduction has been in operation at SKS, YGL, Chizhou smelter etc. Now in China, about 50% of the lead (4.2 millions t/year) is produced using SKS process; and2. Since 2008, the blast furnace has been replaced by direct reduction of molten rich lead slag at YGJ smelter, which is more energy-efficient since no slag cooling is required. This two stage process (SKS Oxidation- Direct Reduction) is named as the YGL process.Since 2008, numerous technological innovations have been implemented in the furnace design, process control, and maintenance at YGL. The plant has been successfully demonstrated its unique excellent performances on all aspects from processing capacity, product quality, energy reduction, cost reduction and emission reduction. The purpose of this report is to update all the improvements with proven tracks.Meanwhile, a preliminary comparison on the following aspects between the YGL process and other similar technologies has been discussed:1. Plant design and operating conditions;2. Mass and heat balances, metal (Pb, Ag) recovery;3. Consumables, oxygen gun and refractory lining life;4. Energy consumption and operating costs;5. Sulfur capture and emission reduction etc.It is concluded that the modified SKSTM process is a clean SO2-free emission process. The process is characteristic of other features such as no extra fuel addition, low capital with a small foot-print design, low OPEX, high throughput, easy operation, long refractory lining life and high productivity (95%+ on line time annually). It offers an alternative cost-effective technology for lead smelting industry."

Jan 1, 2014

Dado el incremento de producción nacional del zinc, a base de los minerales y concentrados disponibles, es necesario señalar los factores técnicos y económicos que controlen este metal. Por ello, el objetivo del texto describe algunos aspectos de productividad del mineral para instalar nuevas refinerías que extiendan la venta de los minerales a expensa de los concentrados exportados. El proceso depurativo comprende la mezcla de minerales, tostación, lixiviación de calcina y filtración, purificación, celdas electrolíticas, fusión de cátodos de zinc y tratamiento de los residuos de zinc. De acuerdo a esta primera etapa, es factible la proyección de nuevas refinerías donde se requiere del manejo de un proceso electrolítico, ya que ofrece mayores ventajas respecto de la pureza del producto. Empero, si se utliza en el suministro de otros minerales, requiere de cierto control y regulación para evitar cualquier tipo de fluctuación. Es decir, una planta electrolítica de zinc no puede operar de igual modo que una de fundición de plomo, dado que compra diferentes lotes de minerales de esta mina, según sea las necesidades de producción. Respecto de los factores económicos, es necesario considerar que la capacidad de refinación en el mundo es mayor con relación al total producido por las minas, siendo el capital necesario para una refinería de zinc de 150 toneladas diarias, incluyendo la planta hidroeléctrica.

Jul 20, 1959

By H. DeWitt Smith

THE mine operated by the United Verde Copper Co. is situated near Jerome, Ariz., on the eastern flank of the Black Hills, at an elevation of approximately 5500 ft. (1676 m.) above sea level. The mine and the town of Jerome are located on a steep hillside, which slopes rapidly to the valley of the Verde River. The smelter town of Clarkdale is situated in the Verde valley 4.1 mi. (6.5 km.) distant in an air line from Jerome, and at an elevation of 3560 ft. The two towns are connected by the standard-gage railroad of the Verde Tunnel & Smelter R. R., a subsidiary of the United Verde Copper Co. This road is 11 mi. long and has a compensated 4 per cent. grade. At Clarkdale, it connects with the Verde Valley branch of the Santa Fe R. R. The narrow-gage (36-in.) line of the United Verde & Pacific Ry. was, until 1919, Jerome's only rail connection with a main trunk line. This road connects with a branch line of the Santa Fe system at Jerome Junction, after traversing 26 mi. of mountainous country. From the time of its location, in 1876, until its purchase by Senator W. A. Clark, of Montana, in 1889, the United Verde mine was worked on a small scale and shipments of high-grade gold-silver ore were made from the surface workings. Until 1894, when the narrow-gage railroad to

Jan 8, 1920

By M. J. Blattman

The problem of measuring the amount of rock removed during a given time interval is faced by most milling operations. Many methods have been developed with varying degrees of success, dependent upon the mining method and the availability of usable data. The Rosebud Mine has been in production for nearly two years, employing several techniques to estimate monthly production from underground production stopes. The use of three-dimensional solids generated from survey data has greatly improved the reliability and confidence of monthly production reports. The authors will summarize the methodology currently being utilized at Rosebud.

Jan 1, 1999

A reliable laboratory method to characterize the response of free gold particles to flash flotation conditions has been developed. The test has been performed on free milling gold ores as well as synthetic ores, using either a gravity concentrate or gold powder as the gold source, to assess the floatability of gold particles. Trends in free gold flotation kinetics, as well as size and milling effects, were identified for gold recovery based on the different feed types, reagent dosages, and residence times. It was shown that the ultimate recoveries and kinetic trends of gold particles from the gravity concentrate could be enhanced with increased dosage of collector, potassium amyl xanthate. Interestingly, in comparison to gravity-recoverable gold, recovery from pure Au powders was better in collectorless flotation, and cumulative recovery decreased with higher levels of collector addition. Improved coarse particle recovery appeared linked to increased collector additions for both the gravity concentrate and the pure gold powders. In general, coarse gold particles demonstrated slower kinetic rates thaen the fine or intermediate components incomparable tests.

Jan 1, 2015

By John M. Jennings

The Hiawatha pitmouth is located at the head of the middle fork of Miller creek, at an altitude of approximately 8,100 feet. The coal is lowered to the tipple down a gravity tram two miles long, in 16 car trips which carry about 60 tons net. The average running time of the trip is about nine minutes. At the bottom of the tram there are two tracks for the loads and two for the empties. The trip, after being cut off the rope, is dropped by gravity onto a feeder, where the cars are uncoupled and fed one at a. time across the pitcar scales and into the dump. The dump is of the full revolution type, friction driven. On passing out of the dump the cars are returned by a kickback onto the empty car haul. They are caught at the bottom by a brake which consists of a pair of steel squeeze blocks operated by heavy springs. The empties are elevated to the double tracks, where the trips are made up. The feeder, scales, dump and empty car haul are all built on the solid ground of the hillside instead of being incorporated in one structure with the screening plant. The coal is dumped into a small hopper with a capacity of about 15 tons, whence it is fed by a reciprocating feeder onto a scraper conveyor which takes the coal over to the screening plant, a distance of 120 feet. This conveyor is 48 inches wide and travels at 120 feet per minute. The screen itself is interesting. It is of the Marcus Horizontal type.

Jan 1, 1925

By M. Trim, Y. Sun, D. Tepavac, A. Kumar

Configuration of Rozelle Interchange Project’s ventilation system required design and construction of some of the largest and tallest underground civil caverns attempted in Australia. The paper focuses on the technical challenges of designing these caverns within a heterogeneous, generally weak sandstone under highstress conditions while providing a construction sequence that would align with the contractor’s preferred techniques and schedule. Various construction techniques were investigated, but ultimately an observational approach relying on a construction sequence and specialized instrumentation met both the designer’s and contractor’s requirements. Relevant data obtained from excavations and the construction monitoring program are presented within.

Dec 1, 2022

The knowledge of aggregate size under various chemical and hydrodynamic conditions is very important for selective agglomeration, flotation and water clarification processes. Traditionally, aggregate size measurements are conducted using an ex-situ technique or in a diluted suspension. In either case, the measurement occurs in an environment that does not resemble the actual conditions under which the aggregates are formed. In this study, an on-line scanning laser microscope has been used to study the coagula size of micronized coal suspensions as a function of pH, solids concentration and agitation intensity. A maximum aggregate size of 310 µ m was obtained under relatively quiescent conditions and at pH values near the iso-electric point (iep) of the coal. The aggregate size results compare well with the coagulation efficiency measurements obtained under the same pH conditions.

Jan 1, 1994