Better Screening Machines Improve Prep Plant Operations--Coal operators consider wider screens and specialized applications

摘要

Screening machines serve several functions in the modern prep plant. First and foremost is size separation, but they also dewater and remove impurities. The U.S. coal industry varies greatly by region and so do screening needs. Not only is the hardness of the coal a concern, but other issues such as rock, clay and acidic water affect a screen's operation. The size of the machines continues to grow as well. While some prep plant operators have adopted wider screens, others are reluctant to make the leap. Many of the new U.S. plants are being built as a single-line process and wider screens are probably the best way to increase throughput in that type of system. Aside from capacity, the larger machines also reduce the screening footprint inside the plant-one large screen instead of multiple smaller screens.