Process Control for a Coal Washing Plant Using a Range Control Chart and Multidimensional Scaling Analysis

• Published in: Energy sources. Part A, Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects Recovery, utilization, and environmental effects, 2011-01, Vol.33 (11), p.1028-1034
• Main Authors: Yerel, S., Ankara, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Circuits; Coal; coal washing plant; Control charts; Cyclones; Density; heavy medium cyclone circuit; heavy medium vessel circuit; multidimensional scaling analysis; range control chart; Statistical process control; Vessels; Washing
• ISSN: 1556-7036; 1556-7230
• DOI: 10.1080/15567030903096998

In this study, a coal washing plant dataset was evaluated by using the range control chart and multidimensional scaling analyses. These analyses were conducted on the density values of a heavy medium vessel circuit and a heavy medium cyclone circuit. The range control charts indicated that the variations in the density values for the heavy medium vessel circuit and the heavy medium cyclone circuit were significantly high. The density values for the heavy medium vessel circuit and the heavy medium cyclone circuit were examined by multidimensional scaling analysis. The results of multidimensional scaling analysis findings supported the results obtained from the range control charts. Finally, this study showed that the usefulness of statistical process control techniques, such as range control charts and multidimensional scaling analysis, in helping decision makers in coal washing plant management.