Effects of mineral impurities distribution on coal sludge washability
Yu.F. Patrakov , S.A. Semenova, S.M. Nikitenko, A.V. Yarkova
Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №4S / 2025 p. 58-62
Abstract: The objective of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of washability of the isometamorphic energy coal sludges with different mineralogical compositions using gravity separation in heavy liquids. The influence of the mineral composition and the distribution of mineral impurities in coal matter on the results of heavy-medium gravity separation has been studied for fine sludge (0–3 mm) with different ash content (26 and 51%). The general coal samples were divided into fractions of a narrow range based on their particle size. The narrow fractions have been analyzed for their washability in heavy media (bromoform). Distribution of mineral impurities has been estimated depending on the size of the fractions. Mineralogical analysis has been performed for most ash fractions. It is shown that the presence of minerites, i.e. organomineral aggregates, in the sample makes it difficult to separate the coal sample into the organic and mineral components and lowers the coal washability grade.
Keywords: coal, washability, rock fragments, mineral components, heavy-media separation, fine coal sludge
Acknowledgements: The research was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation and the Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass under Research Project No. 25-17-20003.
For citation: Patrakov Yu.F., Semenova S.A., Nikitenko S.M., Yarkova A.V. Effects of mineral impurities distribution on coal sludge washability. Russian Mining Industry. 2025;(4S):58–62. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2025-4S-58-62
Article info
Received: 22.06.2025
Revised: 13.08.2025
Accepted: 19.08.2025
Information about the authors
Yury F. Patrakov – Dr. Sci. (Chem.), Professor, Head of the Laboratory for Scientific Basis of Coal Preparation Technologies, Coal Institute, Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8087-7563; е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Svetlana A. Semenova – Cand. Sci. (Chem.), Associate Professor, Leading Research Associate, Coal Institute, Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2048-4423; е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sergey M. Nikitenko – Dr. Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Chief Research Associate, Coal Institute, Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, Russian Federation; https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4516-9064; е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Anastasia V. Yarkova – Postgraduate Student, Lead Engineer, Coal Institute, Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal Chemistry of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kemerovo, Russian Federation; е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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