New Approach To Coal Cleaning Efficiency - Better Comparison Of Washing Units With Revised Evaluation Of Sharpness Index.

SHARPNESS of separation and washing efficiency are often confused. The sharpness index indicates the precision of a washing unit; the washing efficiency takes into account not only the unit's precision but also the washability characteristics of raw coal and the near-gravity materials at the effective density of cut. A sound basis for evaluating the sharpness index is essential in comparing the sharpness of separation attained by different cleaning units. Sharpness Index and Related Criteria: Washing plant sharpness of separation has been well represented by Hancock's efficiency chart and Tromp's curve of migrated materials. Some useful coefficients derived from Tromp's curve-the error area, probable error, and imperfection value-have been widely used to measure sharpness of separation. These are defined in a number of papers presented at the first and second International Coal Preparation Conference held in Paris (1950) and Essen (1954).1-5 In evaluating the performance of a dense medium separator at four different gravities, Yancey and Greer6 observed that even with similar operating conditions and the same size grading of feed, the imperfection value of a washing plant varies through a greater range than the probable error. The present writer also observed the same type of anomalies in comparing the imperfection values of one plant which were determined under almost identical conditions. He therefore devised a graphical method to evaluate a washing unit's sharpness of separation and define it by a single coefficient, which is substantially independent of coal characteristics under normal operation of the unit. Unlike imperfection value, the new coefficient can be expressed on a percentage basis.