Abstract: A process for the wet concentration and cleaning of fine coal is provided which comprises the steps of desliming and thickening a dilute slurry of fine coal and contaminant particles having a size of less than about 10 mm by introducing the same to a hydrocyclone separator to retain a slurry of particles having a size greater than about 0.1 mm, wet concentrating the last-named slurry and removing the heavier contaminant particles by introducing it to an autogenous dense medium separation vessel having a manifold for injecting water at an intermediate level and controlling the underflow of heavier than coal particles to maintain a fluidized bed of heavier particles and causing a slurry of the lighter coal particles to overflow, and concentrating and dewatering the overflow by means of a static or vibratory sizing screen.

Abstract: A wet mechanical process is described for cleaning, upgrading and dewatering fine coal. The process provides for forming an aqueous feed slurry of fine coal and its associated contaminant particles wherein all particles have a particle portion size of less than about 6 mm. ranging to zero. The feed slurry is separated into coal slurry and refuse slurry portions in a spiral gravity concentrator by removing contaminants having a particle size greater than about 0.15 mm. The concentrated coal slurry is then fed to a hydrocyclone separator where all of the ultra-fine silt material having a particle size of less than 0.15 mm. is removed and the coal particle fraction 6 mm. to 0.15 mm. is accumulated and thoroughly dewatered.

Abstract: A new and improved nonadjustable self-cleaning dewatering screen panel assembly suited to vibratory dewatering of fluid slurries containing fine particulate solid material is comprised of a rigid frame member and a substantially planar screen panel mounted within the frame and secured thereto under tension in both planar directions. The screen panel is a unitary one piece elastomeric sheet consisting of a plurality of pulsator portions and integral bordering stabilizer portions. The pulsator portions of the elastomeric panel are comprised of a multitude of substantially identical diaphram elements arranged in intimate, aligned and confronting relationship so as to present a smooth top screening surface.