Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
912c3c6d-ed7e-40b8-a36a-9add146ee4d5
Materials
Associated ID
e650f1f0-61ce-4365-813f-e05c9e2dfd7f
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory (cradle-to-gate) of the production of middlings coal as thermal coal starting from dry coal beneficiation, covering all activities associated with coal preparation, but excluding conditions external to the coal preparation plant (e.g., raw coal mining, utilization of Clean coal), as well as direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from personnel commuting and daily office operations during the coal preparation process. Based on national standards such as "Cleaner Production Standards for the Coal Mining and Washing Industry" (HJ 446-2008) and "Emission Standards of Pollutants for the Coal Industry", the dataset was compiled from multiple data sources and is representative of the average production level in China.
Activity Description
This dataset describes dry coal cleaning as a coal beneficiation method that separates coal from impurities in an air medium, primarily suitable for water-scarce regions and areas with high requirements for water resource protection. Below is an overall description and introduction of the entire production process of dry coal cleaning:
1. Raw Coal Preparation
Coal Crushing and Screening:
Raw coal is crushed by a crusher into particles suitable for dry coal cleaning, typically ranging in size from 0.5 mm to 50 mm. The crushed coal then enters screening equipment for particle size classification, ensuring uniform particle size during the coal cleaning process.
2. Dry Separation
Wind Separation:
Uses wind separators (such as air dense-medium separators, wind sorting tables, etc.) to separate materials. Wind separation relies on the velocity and pressure differential of airflow to separate coal from impurities based on density and particle size.
Vibration Separation:
Employs vibrating screens or vibrating separators, using the combined effect of vibrational force and airflow to separate coal from impurities. Vibrating screens are suitable for coarse particle separation.
Electrostatic Separation:
Utilizes electrostatic separators to separate coal from impurities based on differences in electrical conductivity within an electric field. Electrostatic separation is suitable for fine-grained coal processing.
3. Clean coal processing
Clean coal collection:
After wind sorting, vibration sorting, or electrostatic sorting, clean coal is collected into dedicated collection devices. Once separated from impurities, the clean coal requires further processing to ensure its quality and suitability.
Dedusting treatment:
The coal dust generated during the dry coal beneficiation process must be removed using dust removal equipment (such as bag filters, electrostatic precipitators, etc.) to ensure air quality and reduce dust pollution. Impurity and Tailings Management
Impurity Discharge:
The impurities and tailings separated during the dry coal beneficiation process are discharged through outlets and transported to the tailings treatment area for processing.
Tailings Storage:
The separated tailings must be stored appropriately to prevent secondary pollution. Dust and wind control measures should be implemented in the tailings storage area to minimize environmental impact.
5. Environmental Protection and Safety Measures
Dust Control:
Dry coal beneficiation processes generate a significant amount of dust, requiring dust collection equipment for effective dust control. Commonly used dust collectors include bag filters and electrostatic precipitators.
Noise Control:
Coal beneficiation equipment produces noise during operation, necessitating noise reduction measures such as installing silencers and sound insulation enclosures to ensure a safe working environment for operators.
Environmental Monitoring:
Regular monitoring of the surrounding environment of the coal preparation plant is conducted to ensure that environmental impacts from the beneficiation process are maintained within regulatory limits.
Process Description
Thermal coal refers to coal used as a power source. In a narrow sense, it specifically refers to coal used for thermal power generation. Broadly speaking, any coal used for generating power—such as for electricity generation, locomotive propulsion, or boiler combustion—is classified as thermal coal. Among thermal coal products, medium coal (zhongmei) is an intermediate material between clean coal and gangue. Its quality is inferior to clean coal, containing certain amounts of impurities such as ash and sulfur, but it is better than gangue and still possesses a certain level of calorific value. Medium coal typically contains a relatively high proportion of ash and can be used in industrial boilers where coal quality requirements are not particularly high.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Forming China's average data through merging data from multiple sources.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
Dry coal beneficiation is an efficient and environmentally friendly coal processing method that separates coal from impurities using physical means such as air flow, vibration, and electrostatic forces. The production process includes coal crushing and screening, air separation, vibratory separation, electrostatic separation, clean coal collection, dedusting treatment, and the handling of impurities and tailings. This dry beneficiation technology features water conservation, environmental friendliness, strong adaptability, and simple operation, making it widely applicable in coal processing in water-scarce regions and in operations with high environmental protection requirements.