Energy-efficient coal dewatering using liquefied dimethyl ether

In this study, we dewatered sub-bituminous coal mined in Warra, Indonesia, by using liquefied dimethyl ether (DME); no heating was required in this dewatering process. We achieved this dewatering both in a laboratory-scale experiment and using previously developed bench-scale equipment. We also examined the properties of the coal before and after dewatering and measured the amount of energy required by the equipment. We found that the maximum water extraction efficiency of liquefied DME was 98.3%. Further, the properties of the coal did not change after the dewatering treatment. The wastewater obtained by dewatering can be treated by existing wastewater treatment technologies. The energy consumed by the bench-scale equipment was 2069 kJ/kg-water; thus, this dewatering process using liquefied DME was confirmed to be effective and energy efficient.