Research and application of Python-language-based heavy medium separation simulation calculation software

Heavy medium separation is a key link of coal preparation and processing process. It′s separation efficiency and sharpness have a direct bearing on utilization value of coal and economic performance of coal enterprise. The problems faced by some coking coal preparation plants are that the raw coal treated is mixed coal that comes from a multiple mines with wide fluctuation in washability, and low efficiency of manual calculation. For improving quality of coal separation operation and technical management efficiency, a Python language-based heavy-medium separation simulation calculation software is developed. The software works with the theoretical framework formed up by such aspects as raw coal sampling and preparation, float-and-sink testing and calculation of partition coefficients of heavy-medium separation. It can perform simulation calculation of indicators of separated products using normal distribution model of partition curve, as well as storage and management of float-and-sink analysis data via SQLite3 database, for realizing multiple invocation and high-efficiency matching of data. According to actual requirements of heavy-medium separation operations, the software consist chiefly of float-and-sink analysis data management module, float-and-sink data-based ash value correction module, raw coal feed mixing module, and washability curve plotting module, which can execute mainly six functions, such as inputting and correction of data, calculation of raw coal mixing ratios, setting limits of deviations, calculation of indicators of products and plotting of washability curve. Practice shows with the use of the software, calculation and analysis of indicators of products obtained at different raw coal mixing ratios can be completed rapidly and accurately within 20 minutes. The use of the software can lead to noticeable improvement of efficiency of calculation work. It can also offer directions for making raw coal mixing scheme in a rapid and efficient manner, and provide the basis for determination of separation density and making comprehensive evaluation of heavy-medium separation performance.