Coal preparation plant facts for kids
A coal preparation plant (CPP); also known as a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP), coal handling plant, prep plant, tipple or wash plant) is a facility that washes coal of soil and rock, crushes it into graded sized chunks (sorting), stockpiles grades preparing it for transport to market, and more often than not, also loads coal into rail cars, barges, or ships.
The more of this waste material that can be removed from coal, the lower its total ash content, the greater its market value and the lower its transportation costs.
Crushing
Crushing reduces the overall topsize of the ROM coal so that it can be more easily handled and processed within the CPP. Crushing requirements are an important part of CPP design and there are a number of different types.
Screening
Screens in screening plant are used to group process particles into ranges by size. These size ranges are also called grades. Dewatering screens are used to remove water from the product. Screens can be static, or mechanically vibrated. Screen decks can be made from different materials such as high tensile steel, stainless steel, or polyethelene.
Gravity separation
Gravity separation methods make use of the different relative densities of different grades of coal, and the reject material.
Control and instrumentation
Control and instrumentation is a very important part of a CPP. Measurement of flow, density, levels, ash and moisture are inputs to the control system. PLCs are used extensively in plant design.
Images for kids
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A coal "washer" in Eastern Kentucky
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Coal stockpile
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Coal stacker
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Coal reclaimer
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Dorr thickener
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E.F.W. Lindig
