Statistical optimization study of jigging process on beneficiation of fine size high ash Indian non-coking coal

• Jigging of fine size non-coking coal i.e. below 3 mm were performed.
• 23 full factorial design of experiments were applied for experimentation.
• Statistical analysis of effect of parameters on responses were performed using ANOVA.
• Optimization of jigging operation was also done.

Non-coking coal is used for metallurgical and cement industries apart from generating energy. Indian non-coking coals are high in ash content because of drift origin. These high ash coals require beneficiation before being used. Jigging is one of the unit operations used for beneficiation of coal. Beneficiation by jigging is carried out for the coarser size of particles. Jigging of fine size coal is limited. However, in present study two fine non-coking coal samples having sizes −3+2 mm and −2+1 mm were used for jigging study. In present study jigging experiments were performed using laboratory Denver mineral jig by varying feed size, water rate, and feed rate. 23 full factorial experimental design was used to study the performance of jigging operation. The performance of jigging was judged by statistical analysis; where ash content and combustible recovery of concentrate were considered to be responses. In addition to statistical analysis, optimization study was also carried out by Nelder–Mead multidimensional pattern search method. Statistical models developed in the present study could predict ash content and yield of the concentrate accurately. At optimized condition, it was possible to achieve 22.6% ash content with 64.15% combustible recovery.

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