In order to alleviate the problems of fine coal handling and processing and
to enhance the utilization of fines by utilities, US Department of Energy'
s (DOE's) Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) developed and patented th
e GranuFlow Process. This paper summarizes recent test results of the Granu
Flow Process with pilot-scale and plant-scale centrifuges in commercial pla
nts. The main benefits of the GranuFlow Process are that it can potentially
reduce the amount of waste coal that is stored in refuse impoundments, red
uce the moisture content of the final clean coal product, improve handling
by converting wet sticky fines to a granular, free-flowing material, preven
t frozen coal problems in rail cars, and reduce the dustiness and fugitive
dust losses during transportation and handling. Since Orimulsion is a low c
ost bitumen emulsion, this technology provides the coal industry with a cos
t-effective technology for fine coal processing. (C) 2000 Published by Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.