Analysis of Upgrading Process of South Sumatera Low Rank Coal

Abstract

This research aims to find a method of removing moisture of Indonesian low rank coal by using a combined equipment of evaporator and heater. The heating equipment was controlled at varied temperatures of 343 K, 353 K and 363 K. This method is expected to increase heating value and reduce moisture content of coal. Based on this study, the removal of moisture content of Indonesian low rank coals was affected by the heating temperature and particle size of coals. Ambient air was passed through the evaporator tubes to decrease the temperature until reaching the dew point temperature of the air and then through the heating elements of a heater before entering the fluidised bed of pulverized coal. The results of this research showed that the heating value of coal can be increased up to 35.4% and also the moisture content can be reduced up to 29.8%, both at heater temperature of 363 K and particle size of (-20 +40) mesh.