An overview of the current status of low-rank coal upgrading technologies is
presented in the paper, particularly with respect to drying and dewatering
procedures. In order to calculate the significant parameters of the moisture
removal process, a model of convective coal drying in a fluid bed, based on
the two-phase (bubbling) fluidization model proposed by Kunii and Levenspiel,
is developed and presented. Product-specific data (intraparticle mass
transfer, gas-solid moisture equilibrium) related to the particular coal
variety addressed here (Kolubara lignite) are obtained through preliminary
investigations. Effective thermal conductivity of the packed bed as defined
by Zehner/Bauer/Schl?nder is used to define heat transfer mechanisms
occurring in the suspension phase of the fluid bed. A completely new set of
experimental data obtained has been successfully used to validate the model
additionally.