The approaches for reduction of water consumption applied by power coal washeries in Shendong Mining Area

In order to reduce water consumption in washing of coal, ease the pressure on coal washeries in China's western regions brought about by shortage of water, and reduce operating costs and improve coal washing efficiency, a series of measures are taken by the washeries in Shendong Mining Area, such as readjustment of coal washing processes and routine operation management mode; adoption of targeted coal slurry water staged treatment process; reduction of moisture content and increase calorific value of fine coal product; strict control of closed washwater circuit to ensure equilibrium of washwarer and reduce water loss in operation, perfection of standardized management of use of water by coal washing systems; and elimination of water loss caused by artificial factors. The implementation of these measures has made it possible for each washery in Shendong Mining Area to reduce the water consumption for washing each ton of coal by 7.5 kg, increase the calorific value of commercial coal product by 0.188 MJ/Kg, enabling the 11 coal washeries in the Mining area to save a total of 1.65 million cubic meters of water per year. Moreover, the substantial results obtained has led to alleviation of water shortage and reduction of the demand for water resource in coal washing operations in the country's western region, as well as production of the ecology of the surface surrounding the mining area.