New coal prep knowledge already in use at CRL Energy

25 August 2009

CRL Energy’s coal preparation research officer, Ben Rumsey, has recently returned from a productive week in Rockhampton, Queensland with the Australian Coal Preparation Society (ACPS). Ben participated in the society’s General Coal Preparation Course which covered a wide range of topics including coal geology, mining methods, sampling and analysis, physical properties of coal, coal washability, principles of separation, classification, gravity separation process, fine coal beneficiation, dewatering, and plant practice.

“The Australian Coal Preparation Society is an active organisation, with their courses very much practically orientated. Among other things we looked at were worked calculations, sampling, size analysis and elementary unit operations.

“The course gave me a great opportunity to talk to people in other positions, such as plant superintendants, maintenance crews and process engineers. The last day of the course included an industry visit to the 1400MW Stanwell power station and guided tour with the Fuels Manager. Stanwell in Rockhampton is a fully-automated coal-fired station, recognised as one of the most efficient and economic in Australia. The tour was useful in providing an insight into the end use of the coal product, and what the final customers are looking for in terms of coal quality and security of supply.

“We’re already putting my new knowledge gained on the course to use here at CRL Energy, with new efficiency testing and calculation of Ep (separation efficiency) for a range of coal washing equipment - important stuff if end coal-users are to gain the maximum possible yield from their resource.”

For more information about services at CRL Energy's Coal Preparation Laboratory contact Trevor Dine, Grant Murray, or Ben Rumsey.