Revision of AS4156.6 - coal preparation - part 6: Determination of dust/moisture relationship for coal

In mid -2015 a review of the Australian standard AS4156.6 for the determination of the dust/moisture relationship for coal was completed as part of Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) Project C23054 [1]. This paper presents the main outcomes of that review which included a thorough evaluation of the test apparatus and procedure by way of numerical simulation (Discrete Element Modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics ) and experimental testing. An investigation was performed into: • lifter profile and type of test apparatus surface • type of collection bag and equilibration time • operational parameters such as rotational speed and air flow • sampling, preparation and sample storage time • assessment of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1) and relating airborne dust to health -related fractions In addition to the above investigation, a procedure for the conversion of the Dust Extinction Moisture (DEM) from -6.3mm to F/S fraction was proposed. Finally, criteria for an Optimum Moisture Level (OML) was introduced to achieve moisture level above DEM during site residence tim e at the port terminal or mine site.