Abstract: With substantial increase of the volume of raw coal treated and noticeable improvement of conditions in basic research, China's coal preparation technology and equipment have seen rapid development, with the research in the basic theory of coal preparation process also making considerable progress. Intensification of flotation process is currently the focus point and the orientation of the study in this regard. For the coal-related enterprises, the technological points of interest are automation of coal washing processes, heavy-medium separation, technological process design and renovation, washing equipment, flotation circuit, etc., in order of the degree of their concern. Viewed from the perspective of the purpose of coal washing operations, the realistic requirements and developing orientation of coal preparation technology are centered on 3 aspects, namely, production of specific products, reduction of power coal cleaning cost and realization of intelligent operation.