Complex analysis of polymer wastes in coal enrichment for the purpose of their utilization

Abstract

At ‘wet’ methods of minerals processing in order to dewater flotation concentrates, flotation waste and low-ash coal slurry, highly effi- cient equipment is used such as disk vacuum filters, belt filter presses, etc. On the filter surfaces of these machines, a filter cloth made of poly- caproamide fiber is attached or put on, which eventually goes out-of use for various reasons and is transported to dumps (landfills). The paper pre- sents a complex of physical and chemical analyses to evaluate influence of operating conditions of the filter cloth on the thermal and technological properties of the polymer. The results of the study showed a possibility of re-processing (recycling) of the out-of use filter material from vacuum fil- ters in order to obtain marketable recycled polycaproamide.