Washability characteristics are determined from float/sink analysis of core samples, as mined samples, or from preparation plant feed samples. In addition to the float/sink analysis, SGS can perform froth recovery testing on finer size material. If a coal contains a high percentage of middlings material, SGS can perform the crushing studies required to determine if additional yield can be obtained by crushing and liberating coal from the host rock.

SGS coal washability studies, including float/sink analysis, can be done on samples ranging in size from bulk washability samples (over 1 ton) to bench-scale size samples (2-10kg). These analyses can be done over a range of densities and on coarse or fine coals.

Coal Washability data is used to:

• Determine preparation plant efficiency.
• Provide the data needed for preparation plant design engineering.
• Determine the potential for recovery and the quality of coal reserves.
• Determine the optimum operating parameters for preparation plant circuits.
• Characterizing types and amounts of impurities.
• Determining optimum size range of a specific coal for cleaning.
• Measure loss in clean coal yield.