Zhang, LijunXia, XiaohuaZhang, Jiangfeng2014-03-072014-03-072014-04Zhang, LJ, Xia, X & Zhang, J 2014, 'Improving energy efficiency of cyclone circuits in coal beneficiation plants by pump-storage systems', Applied Energy, vol. 119, pp. 306-313.0306-2619 (print)1872-9118 (online)10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.031http://hdl.handle.net/2263/37101A pump storage system (PSS) is introduced to the coal preparation dense medium cyclone (DMC) plants to improve their energy efficiency while maintaining the required medium supply. The DMC processes are very energy intensive and inefficient because the medium supply pumps are constantly over-pumping. The PSS presented is to reduce energy consumption and cost by introducing an addition medium circulation loop. The corresponding pump operation optimization problem in the PSS scheme under timebased electricity tariff is formulated and solved, based on which the financial benefits of the design is investigated using life cycle cost analysis. A case study based on the operation status of a South African coal mine is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. It is demonstrated that the energy cost can be reduced by more than 50% in the studied case by introducing a 160 m3 storage tank. According to life cycle analysis, the PSS Option 1 yields an annual 38% reduction of the overall cost for the beneficiation plant with a payback period of 2.68 years.en© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Applied Energy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Applied Energy, vol.119, pp. 306-313, 2014, doi : 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.031Coal beneficiationOperation optimizationEnergy efficiencyPump storage system (PSS)Dense medium cyclone (DMC) plantsOre-dressing plants -- South AfricaOre-dressing plants -- Electric equipment -- South AfricaCoal mines and mining -- South AfricaMine pumps -- South AfricaCoal-mining machinery -- South AfricaPostprint Article