Production of water-resistant briquettes from a mixture of an imported bituminous coal and a Turkish lignite with copolymer binder

Abstract

In this study, low-quality Denizli-Kale lignite was mixed with a high-quality imported (Siberian) bituminous coal, and optimum briquetting conditions were investigated with a copolymer (Mowilith-VDM©) binder. In the briquetting tests, the effects of coal blends, pressure, amount of binder (copolymer, molasses, and lime contents), drying temperature, and drying time were investigated. According to the test results, it is possible to produce a briquette resistant to water and with enough mechanical strength as a first-quality product by using 50% lignite and 50% bituminous coal. Durable briquettes were produced with a 10% copolymer binder content, following pressing at 60 MPa and drying at 170°C for 45 minutes. © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.