Binderless briquetting of beneficiated fine discard coal from the Witbank coalfield

A patented binderless coal briquetting process involving dehydration and compaction was applied at pilot scale on beneficiated fine coal discard obtained from the Witbank Coalfield, South Africa. Laboratory test work was undertaken on the resultant binderless coal briquettes to assess their quality relative to the feed. Drop shatter tests were used to indicate the wet and dry mechanical strength of the briquettes post-production, weathering and blending. The total moisture content of the binderless coal briquettes was reduced significantly by 77%, while the calorific value improved slightly by 3%. Moreover, the briquettes showed reasonable resistance to breakage post-production, as well as under simulated weathering conditions. The positive results demonstrated in this study are consistent with similar studies conducted on inertinite-rich coals in South Africa and highlight a sustainable opportunity to reclaim much of the historical and arising fine coal discard.