Comparison of Flotation and Screening as Separation Method in Coal Recovery From Tailings by Agglomeration

Dependency of Turkey on foreign energy adversely affects the economy of the country and may cause energy shortage in the near future. As a primary domestic energy source, coal is used for energy production in addition to imported oil and gas. However, significantamount of fine coal is lost together with tailings in coal washeries. Recovering of fine coals from these tailings will make an economiccontribution to country. In the present study, fine coals were recovered from tailings of a coal washery in Turkey by using oil agglomeration method. Flotation was used in agglomerate separation stage of oil agglomeration. Results were compared with that of previousstudy in which agglomerates were recovered by screening. The performance of the process increased sharply when flotation was usedinstead of screening in agglomerate separation stage. A clean coal with 28% ash was recovered from the washery tailings containing55% ash by 85% combustible recovery.

Effect of Hydrodynamic Cavitation Assistance on Different Stages of Coal Flotation

In this study, the effect of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) on the conditioning stage (HCCS), separation stage (HCSS), and whole stage (HCWS) of coal flotation was investigated by flotation tests, laser granulometry, and contact angle measurements. The flotation results indicate that compared to conventional flotation, all HC-assisted flotation methods can improve concentrate combustible recovery and flotation constant rate. HCCS and HCSS show similar levels of improvement, while HCWS has a better flotation efficiency. The screening tests demonstrate that HC has the advantage of being able to liberate coarse coal particles (+0.25 mm) prior to being combined with gangues. On one hand, HC promotes the dispersion of both particles and agents, while longer cavitation time in HCCS does not lead to better flotation performance. On the other hand, enhancement of the adsorption of the collector on the surface of coal particles in HCCS is confirmed by flotation concentrate contact angle tests. However, HCSS leads to a decrease in concentrate hydrophobicity, compared to conventional flotation. The micro-nanobubbles generated by HC play an important role in improving flotation performance. HCWS offers the advantages of both HCCS and HCSS, and the cooperated mechanism of different HC modes enhances the recovery of coal particles in flotation.

Applied Process Simulation-Driven Oil and Gas Separation Plant Optimization Using Surrogate Modeling and Evolutionary Algorithms

In this article, the optimization of a realistic oil and gas separation plant has been studied. Using Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and rigorous process simulations, surrogate models using Kriging have been established for selected model responses. The surrogate models are used in combination with an evolutionary algorithm for optimizing the operating profit, mainly by maximizing the recoverable oil production. A total of 10 variables representing pressure and temperature at various key places in the separation plant are optimized to maximize the operational profit. The optimization is bounded in the variables and a constraint function is included to ensure that the optimal solution allows export of oil with a Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) < 12 psia. The main finding is that, while a high pressure is preferred in the first separation stage, apparently a unique optimal setting for the pressure in downstream separators does not appear to exist. In the second stage separator, apparently different, yet more or less equally optimal, settings are revealed. In the third and final separation stage a correlation between the separator pressure and the applied inlet temperature exists, where different combinations of pressure and temperature yields equally optimal results.

Applied Process Simulation-Driven Oil and Gas Separation Plant Optimization using Surrogate Modeling and Evolutionary Algorithms

In this article the optimization of a realistic oil and gas separation plant has been studied. Two different fluids are investigated and compared in terms of the optimization potential. Using Design of Computer Experiment (DACE) via Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and rigorous process simulations, surrogate models using Kriging have been established for selected model responses. The surrogate models are used in combination with a variety of different evolutionary algorithms for optimizing the operating profit, mainly by maximizing the recoverable oil production. A total of 10 variables representing pressure and temperature various key places in the separation plant are optimized to maximize the operational profit. The optimization is bounded in the variables and a constraint function is included to ensure that the optimal solution allows export of oil with an RVP < 12 psia. The main finding is that, while a high pressure is preferred in the first separation stage, apparently a single optimal setting for the pressure in downstream separators does not appear to exist. In the second stage separator apparently two different, yet equally optimal, settings are revealed. In the third and final separation stage a correlation between the separator pressure and the applied inlet temperature exists, where different combinations of pressure and temperature yields equally optimal results.<br>

Applied Process Simulation-Driven Oil and Gas Separation Plant Optimization using Surrogate Modeling and Evolutionary Algorithms

In this article the optimization of a realistic oil and gas separation plant has been studied. Two different fluids are investigated and compared in terms of the optimization potential. Using Design of Computer Experiment (DACE) via Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and rigorous process simulations, surrogate models using Kriging have been established for selected model responses. The surrogate models are used in combination with a variety of different evolutionary algorithms for optimizing the operating profit, mainly by maximizing the recoverable oil production. A total of 10 variables representing pressure and temperature various key places in the separation plant are optimized to maximize the operational profit. The optimization is bounded in the variables and a constraint function is included to ensure that the optimal solution allows export of oil with an RVP < 12 psia. The main finding is that, while a high pressure is preferred in the first separation stage, apparently a single optimal setting for the pressure in downstream separators does not appear to exist. In the second stage separator apparently two different, yet equally optimal, settings are revealed. In the third and final separation stage a correlation between the separator pressure and the applied inlet temperature exists, where different combinations of pressure and temperature yields equally optimal results.<br>

Applied Process Simulation-Driven Oil and Gas Separation Plant Optimization using Surrogate Modeling and Evolutionary Algorithms

In this article the optimization of a realistic oil and gas separation plant has been studied. Two different fluids are investigated and compared in terms of the optimization potential. Using Design of Computer Experiment (DACE) via Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS) and rigorous process simulations, surrogate models using Kriging have been established for selected model responses. The surrogate models are used in combination with a variety of different evolutionary algorithms for optimizing the operating profit, mainly by maximizing the recoverable oil production. A total of 10 variables representing pressure and temperature various key places in the separation plant are optimized to maximize the operational profit. The optimization is bounded in the variables and a constraint function is included to ensure that the optimal solution allows export of oil with an RVP < 12 psia. The main finding is that, while a high pressure is preferred in the first separation stage, apparently a single optimal setting for the pressure in downstream separators does not appear to exist. In the second stage separator apparently two different, yet equally optimal, settings are revealed. In the third and final separation stage a correlation between the separator pressure and the applied inlet temperature exists, where different combinations of pressure and temperature yields equally optimal results.<br>

Simultaneous Spectrophotometric Determination of Paracetamol, Propyphenazone and Caffeine By Using Absorption Ratio Method

The Absorption Ratio method involves measuring the absorbance at two wavelengths, namely the iso-absorptive point and the maximum wavelength. Its method could be an option in determining the level of a drug. The aim of this study was to determine whether the absorption ratio method can be used to determine the levels of paracetamol (PCT), propyphenazone (PRO) and caffeine (CAF) in tablet form. The absorption ratio method was used to determine the levels of the mixed drug compound without the separation stage and using the maximum wavelength and iso-absorptif point. The result of the study showed that the absorption ratio method used to solve multicomponent problems in tablet form can be performed and satisfy the validation requirements of the method according to international Conference on Harmonization Q2 (R1) (ICH) guidelines. The absorption ratio method was a simple and accurate to be used determine PCT, PRO, CAF in tablet form. Keywords : Paracetamol, propyphenazone, caffeine, absorption ratio

A massive reduction of dust particle adhesion in a cyclone by the introduction of a wedge

Particle adhesion in a cyclone, such as a cyclonic vacuum cleaner, can significantly reduce its efficiency. An investigation is presented here on the particle adhesion in a cyclone from a vacuum cleaner that consists of a primary separation stage (a cylindrical chamber) and a secondary separation stage (14 cyclones). The flow direction in the primary separation stage was modified by the use of a wedge of 40 mm × 40 mm × 6 mm at the inlet of the primary separation stage, which affected the particle trajectory in the primary separation stage and the particle inlet position in the cyclone while keeping the air flow direction and velocity (without particles being loaded), the Hamaker constant, particle size and the particle charge unaffected. The particle inlet position in the cyclone was varied from the lower portion (without wedge) to the upper portion (with wedge). Without the wedge, a spiral pattern of particle (plaster particles, average size 1.13 μm) adhesion onto the inner wall of the cyclone was found and a thicker deposited layer of particles at the cyclone tip region was observed. With the introduction of the wedge, the spiral particle adhesion pattern was not observed and a reduction of particle adhered to the inner wall by up to 94% was achieved, although there was an increase in the amount of particles entering the cyclone. This demonstrates almost a complete elimination of particle adhesion onto the cyclone wall, without compromising separation efficiencies.