Application of spiral separation technology in coal sludge processing

The purpose of the study is to analyze the current state of the problem concerning the concentration technology of wash house coal sludge, comparison of the results of sludge dump coal processing on various types of processing equipment as well as formulation of recommendations for spiral separation method application for coal sludge enrichment. The main research methods include generalization and analysis of scientific and technical information, study of the results of technological tests on spiral separation. The problem of sludge concentration is relevant due to the increase in the content of fine classes in mined coal and, consequently, in coal sludge. In real practice most of the sludge is fuel for energy. Having analyzed the experimental part of the research, the authors established the efficiency of coal and rock fraction separation using the technology of coal sludge spiral separation. The need for preliminary classification of the source material before spiral separation is determined. It is found out that spiral sludge separators have a number of technological advantages as compared to spiral mineral separators, due to a wider range of enriched material fineness. The analysis of the performed tests made it possible to establish the application prospects of the spiral separation technology in coal sludge processing. The recommendations are given on the use of spiral separators manufactured by the Research and Production Company Spirit, LLC for the enrichment of sludge products including tailings, dump sludge of the work site of the Wash House of the Branch Open Pit Cheremkhovugol of Vostsibugol Company, LLC.