A review of the dry methods available for coal beneficiation

Water is a precious global resource that is important in most currently employed coal beneficiation practices. These widely accepted processes deliver consistent and precise separation efficiencies at desired product yields and throughputs. Although favoured, the water usage related to wet processing may be impractical and unsustainable in certain regions. Consequently, present-day practices used in coal processing may soon have to adapt, irrespective of any improved technical and economic feasibility offered. Therefore, the development of efficacious dry beneficiation methods has become an appealing research topic. This review assembles information pertaining to the principle and success of commercially available and experimental phase dry processes applicable to coal beneficiation. These methods show much potential and, with some consideration of possible limitations and further investigation, may be established in future in the especially arctic, arid, and under-developed regions through new plant installations, expansions, and small mines and fines processing.