My Notes:
Over the years I have completed many briquetting trials, and I have found that whilst coal fines briquettes can be formed with up to approx 25% moisture, the optimum strength is frequently achieved at 14%-16% total moisture.
Subsequent curing is essential for strength.
14% - 16% moisture has to date been below the levels achievable by mechanical, atmospheric and pressure filtration methods, which have frequently been limited to 19%-20% moisture.
There are many methods available to produce a lower moisture:
- Thermal Drying - both direct and indirect (must avoid losing the caking properties)
- Flash or counter current dryers ( too much heat is a problem)
- Spray Dryers
- Vortex Dryers eg: DevourX and Pulver Dryer
- Centrobaric Filters
Drying can also be delayed to post agglomeration:
- Conveyor tunnel dryers
- Fluidised bed dryers ( difficult to use on ultra fines but OK on agglomerates
