In the heart of Europe’s coal country, a revolutionary mobile technology is breathing new life into abandoned mining sites, offering a glimmer of hope for both the environment and the energy sector. Developed by researchers at the Silesian University of Technology, this innovative system is turning the tide on land degradation caused by mining activities, all while recovering valuable coal resources.
At the helm of this groundbreaking project is Marcin Lutyński, a researcher at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation. His team has designed a mobile processing plant that can be deployed to any site, eliminating the need for permanent installations. “This technology is a game-changer,” Lutyński asserts. “It allows us to efficiently recover remaining coal from tailings while minimizing environmental impact.”
The process begins with the extraction of deposited material from sedimentation tanks, settling ponds, or mine water reservoirs. Depending on site conditions, this is done using suction dredgers for waterlogged areas or excavator-loaders for dry sites. The extracted material is then mixed with water and transported via pipeline to the processing plant. Inside, the material undergoes preliminary separation, removing large particles and organic debris. It is then homogenized in agitation tanks and processed in hydrocyclones, where the combustible fraction is separated from the mineral fraction.
The recovered coal, with a calorific value of 16-24 MJ/kg, can be further enriched for use in combined heat and power plants. The mineral fraction, meanwhile, can be repurposed for construction or land reclamation. This dual benefit makes the technology a sustainable solution aligned with circular economy principles.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As the world grapples with the transition to renewable energy, this technology offers a viable solution for maximizing the use of existing resources while minimizing environmental impact. “We’re not just talking about waste reduction,” Lutyński explains. “We’re talking about energy recovery and land restoration. It’s a win-win situation.”
Laboratory and industrial-scale tests have confirmed the effectiveness of the technology, paving the way for its commercial application. The research was recently published in the ‘MATEC Web of Conferences’, known in English as the ‘Conference Series on Materials Science and Engineering’.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, technologies like this one will play a crucial role in shaping its future. By enabling the efficient recovery of coal and the restoration of degraded land, this mobile technology is not just a step forward—it’s a leap towards a more sustainable and circular economy.