The distribution plate structure plays an important role in the stability of air dense medium fluidized beds (ADMFB). Optimization of the distribution plate structure can reduce the generation of large bubbles. In the present work, the influence of the distribution plate structure on the fluidization characteristics of fluidized bed with agitator was investigated. Two different feedstock samples with the size fraction of 25–13 and 13–6 mm were tested individually. The experimental results showed that the fluidized bed density fluctuation was relatively small and the dead zone of gas-solids fluidized bed was significantly reduced by adding the stirring device into the fluidized bed under the optimal working conditions. Through a study of the sorting test, it was revealed that the separation performance can be effectively improved. This indicates that there is an obvious interrelationship between the structure of distribution plate and other process parameters, which affects the fluidization characteristics of ADMFB.

Elastic screening methods are widely used in the classification of moist coal as they can overcome the problem of aperture blockage. However, the use of an equally inclined screen surface with balanced excitation facilitates material accumulation, worsening the screening performance. Here, a disequilibrium excitation structure was proposed to solve the accumulation problem, and its synchronization process was studied using a high-speed camera system. The spatial motion of the rigid-flex elastic screen surface along material flow direction was reconstructed using a vibration test system. The influence of disequilibrium excitation force coefficient (F_de) and relative vibration motor shaft span (l_vms) on the screening performance of moist coal was investigated. The results showed that the phase difference between the two eccentric rotors gradually decreased to 0 under the coupling effect of the electromechanical system, achieving synchronous stable operation. The spatial trajectories of different parts of the rigid-flex elastic screen surface were close to ellipsoidal, with the long axis of the ellipse decreasing along the direction of material flow. The screening efficiency showed a maximum and the total misplaced materials showed a minimum with increasing F_de and l_vms. The optimum screening efficiency of 86.35% and the corresponding total misplaced materials of 5.03% were achieved at F_de = 1.15 and l_vms = 40%. Compared to the equilibrium excitation structure, the elastic screening process was enhanced by the use of disequilibrium excitation, with the screening efficiency increasing by 3.20%.

High efficiency slime water settlement is very important for ensuring washing water recycling in coal preparation plants. In order to improve the sedimentation of coal slime water, an iron ion-based coagulant was prepared by titanium ion complexation action using titanium sulfate as a main raw material, Fe³⁺ and NaH₂PO₃ as a stabilizer and NaHCO₃ as an alkalizing agent. The particle size distribution of coal slime was measured, and the sedimentation test for coal slime water was carried out with PAM, polyaluminum chloride and polymerized titanium ferric sulfate (PTFS), respectively. Then, coal slime water sedimentation was investigated at different PAM dosages and polyaluminum chloride or coal slime water of PTFS with various molar ratios of PAM and ferrotitanium. The results showed that PAM and polyaluminum chloride could not make coal slime settle down, and PTFS showed a poor settlement effect. When polyaluminum chloride and PTFS were used together with PAM, it produced a molecular weight of 3 million respectively. Polyaluminum chloride needs 6.66 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol of PAM, PTFS needs 0.66 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol of PAM and the effect of sedimentation is improved. When the molar ratio of PTFS was 1:7, polymerization performance was effective. The sedimentation effect of PTFS was better than that of polymeric aluminum chloride coagulant usually used in coal preparation plants, especially when combined with flocculant, and high efficiency was reached. The surface potential and surface free energy of coal slime particles before and after adding coagulant were measured and analyzed by XDLVO theory to explain the action mechanism of PTFS coagulant. Experimental results demonstrated that PTFS can significantly improve the sedimentation of coal slime water, save the dosage of PAM and increase economic benefit.

The flotation effect of lean coal is crucial for its clean utilization. Therefore, the flotation characteristics of difficult-to-float lean coal were studied. The analysis results of the feed properties showed that the ash content of the feed was high and the particle size was very fine. The minerals in the gangue mainly included sericite, kaolinite, quartz, white mica, and other substances. After flotation, the functional groups of the coal particles in the tailings decreased, and the absorption peak intensity weakened. Furthermore, the results of multi-factor flotation experiments showed that the dosages of the collector and the frother were significant factors affecting the yield of clean coal. The clean coal yield gradually increased with an increase in the two factors. The ash content of the clean coal increased with an increase in the frother dosage. Within the range of feed concentrations used in this work, the feed concentration was not a significant factor affecting the clean coal’s yield and ash content. Prediction models for the clean coal yield and ash content were proposed. Under optimized experimental conditions, the clean coal yield and the flotation perfection index were 72.15% and 46.63%, respectively, indicating a good flotation effect.

To investigate the ultra-microstructural characteristics and adsorption properties of coal pores, the pore structure of Dongsheng lignite and Chengzhuang anthracite in Qinshui Basin was characterized by the liquid nitrogen adsorption method. It was found that the SSA of micropores constituted more than 65% of the total SSA in both coal samples. The macromolecular model of coal and the N₂ molecular probe were used to obtain the ultrastructure parameters, and the gas adsorption behaviors of the two coals under different conditions were simulated by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and Molecular Dynamics (MD). The results show that the pores of the lignite are mainly small pores, while the pores of the anthracite are mainly micropores. The specific surface area of the adsorption pores mainly constitutes micropores and ultra-micropores. The adsorption capacity of the CH₄ of anthracite is consistently higher than that of lignite. The CH₄ adsorption amount is positively correlated with the specific surface area and pore volume. This indicates that the gas adsorption capacity of coal is concentrated in micropores and ultra-micropores. The adsorption capacity increases with the increase in pressure and decreases with the increase in temperature. In the competitive adsorption of CH₄/CO₂/H₂O, the adsorption quantity is in the order of H₂O > CO₂ > CH₄. The research results provide a theoretical basis for coalbed methane exploitation and methane replacement.