Coal beneficiation process diagram and solution in South Africa
Coal beneficiation is the process of removing impurities from coal to improve its quality. This can be done through a variety of methods, including physical separation, chemical separation, and biological separation.

Physical separation methods are based on the physical properties of coal, such as size, shape, and density. Common physical separation methods include:
- Screening to remove large pieces of coal
- Crushing to reduce the size of coal particles
- Washing to remove dirt and other impurities
- Gravity separation to separate coal from heavier impurities
- Flotation to separate coal from lighter impurities
Chemical separation methods are based on the chemical properties of coal. Common chemical separation methods include:
- Acid leaching to remove impurities such as sulfur and iron
- Alkaline leaching to remove impurities such as ash and silica
- Solvent extraction to remove impurities such as organic matter
Biological separation methods are based on the biological properties of coal. Common biological separation methods include:
- Bacterial leaching to remove impurities such as sulfur and iron
- Fungal leaching to remove impurities such as ash and silica
Coal beneficiation process diagram
The following is a general process diagram for coal beneficiation:
- Coal preparation
The first step in coal beneficiation is to prepare the coal for processing. This may involve crushing, screening, and washing to remove large pieces of coal, dirt, and other impurities.
- Beneficiation
The next step is to beneficiate the coal using one or more of the methods described above. The specific methods used will depend on the type of coal and the desired quality of the final product.
- Dewatering
Once the coal has been beneficiated, it must be dewatered to remove excess water. This can be done using a variety of methods, including:
- Filtration
- Centrifugation
- Thermal drying
- Product handling
The final step is to handle the beneficiated coal product. This may involve storing, transporting, and loading the coal for shipment.
Coal beneficiation solution in South Africa
There are a number of companies that offer coal beneficiation solutions in South Africa. These companies offer a variety of services, including:
- Process design and engineering
- Equipment supply and installation
- Operation and maintenance
Some of the leading coal beneficiation companies in South Africa include:
- ** Bateman**
- BE&E International
- DRA Global
- FLSmidth
- GEA
- Metso Outotec
- Weir Minerals
Coal beneficiation is an important process for improving the quality of coal and reducing its environmental impact. There are a number of different methods that can be used to beneficiate coal, and the specific methods used will depend on the type of coal and the desired quality of the final product. There are a number of companies that offer coal beneficiation solutions in South Africa, and these companies offer a variety of services to meet the needs of their customers.