Cleaning of fine-grained lignite by two-stage hydrophobic flocculation using different waste oils

In this study, the conditions for obtaining clean coal from fine-grained lignite suspensions by two-stage hydrophobic flocculation using different waste oils were investigated. Waste vegetable oil, waste hydraulic oil and waste engine oil were chosen as bridging liquids for hydrophobic flocculation tests. During the studies, sodium silicate was used as the dispersant. Acetone was used at each stage to clean the floc obtained from the agglomeration process. The ash content (%) and combustible recoveries (CR, %) of the floc obtained at the end of each experiment were determined. In addition, contact angle (θ) and calorific values (kcal/kg) were measured and the results were evaluated in detail. At the end of the cleaning stages, low ash clean coal was obtained with a very high combustible recovery. In addition, it was observed that the calorific values increased considerably from 5128 to 5772,5558 to 6304 and 5447 to 5732 using waste vegetable oil, waste hydraulic oil and waste engine oil, respectively.