Modeling and optimization of coal oil agglomeration using response surface methodology and artificial neural network approaches

From the FE-SEM image (left) of agglomerate can be concluded that coal particles from micro-agglomerates which on further collision while agitation form macro-agglomerates, coal particles are not in direct contact with each other, they are adhering to each other because of better wettability and oil-coating while in suspension at collision. The size of aggregate with respect to feed size of coal sample makes easier for separation from coal water slurry. From EDX graph (right), carbonaceous coal content is high and small amount of gangue minerals are also get attached or trapped within coal agglomerate.196