On April 6, the project Optimization, Innovation and Efficient Operation Management of Pressure Filters, developed and improved by Shendong Coal, was recognized as an Outstanding Case of 2025 Staff Technological Innovation Achievements in the Coal Industry of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The project was officially launched in January 2024. Through stable operation, it has achieved leapfrog enhancement in equipment operation efficiency, processing capacity and energy consumption indicators. It has not only effectively addressed long-standing operation and maintenance challenges in coal slime dewatering at coal preparation plants, but also laid a solid foundation for the safe, stable and efficient operation of the coal slime water system. The project has simultaneously enhanced production safety, economic benefits and operational efficiency.
As key equipment for coal slime dewatering in coal preparation plants, pressure filters directly affect thickener load, clean coal washing rate and commercial coal calorific value, and thus play a critical role in the entire coal preparation process. Before the renovation, the equipment suffered from prominent pain points that severely restricted production efficiency: sealing belts were prone to debonding and falling off, and filter cloths required frequent replacement, leading to a sharp rise in operation and maintenance costs; high failure rates and long maintenance cycles disrupted production continuity; single-unit capacity stood at only 25 tonnes per hour, merely 40% of the designed capacity and far below actual production demand; in addition, poor back-blowing performance and serious air leakage meant four low-pressure fans were required to support two pressure filters, resulting in significant energy waste.
Following the implementation of a series of optimization measures, the performance of pressure filters has achieved a qualitative breakthrough with all indicators meeting expected targets. Coal slime processing efficiency has increased from 25 t/h to 60 t/h. The service life of equipment control heads has tripled, and the consumption of wearing parts has been greatly reduced. Air leakage has been fundamentally eliminated, allowing two pressure filters to operate normally with only two low-pressure fans, thus significantly cutting energy consumption. Actual calculations show the project saves 359,500 yuan in material costs and 829,000 yuan in electricity costs annually, while effectively supporting normal clean coal production and delivering substantial output growth benefits.
To date, the 362/363 pressure filters at Jinjie Coal Preparation Plant have maintained continuous, stable and efficient operation for more than two years. The coal slime water system has operated smoothly with high clarity, with no production disruptions caused by slime water issues. Equipment failure rates have dropped sharply, winning wide recognition and praise from frontline operators.
The award has recognized the project’s success in addressing common industry challenges in coal slime dewatering. It has formed replicable and scalable standardized operation and maintenance experience, providing valuable practical reference for the efficient management of similar equipment in the coal washing sector. It has also injected strong new impetus into the green, low-carbon, safe, efficient and high-quality development of the enterprise.
