A case study of the modification potential of using spiral separators in the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal processing plant (Iran (original) (raw)

In this paper, the potential use of spiral separators in the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal processing plant in northeastern Iran is evaluated. The current circuit of the plant was carefully investigated. The necessary samples were collected from the overflow discharge of the hydro-cyclone and used to feed the pilot spiral circuit of the plant. The most important operating variables, including the feed size distribution, the feed pulp density and the feed rate, were considered at three levels (low, base and high) and analysed to determine the optimal spiral recovery. Twenty-seven experiments were designed according to the Taguchi method using an orthogonal array. The results revealed the optimal spiral recovery (68.8%) for specific levels of the considered parameters with an extensive sensitivity analysis. A new flow sheet of the circuit of the Alborz-Sharghi coal washing plant, which involves two spiral separators is presented.