ABSTRACT
Research and commercial practices have proven that beneficiation devices utilizing a dense medium provide the most efficient gravity-based separation over a wide range of particle sizes. A recent research program investigated the benefits of applying a dense medium comprised of an ultra-fine magnetite suspension in an enhanced gravity concentrator for −1 mm coal cleaning. Process parameter values were optimized using results obtained from statistically designed test programs. Excellent separation performances were obtained from the cleaning of the 1 × 0.044 mm size fraction as indicated by probable error (Ep) values of approximately 0.05. This performance was realized while providing low relative separation densities (d50) below 1.50. The process parameter effects and process efficiency data obtained from the process will be discussed in this publication.
