Syllabus of Coal Preparation*

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics

Linear Algebra: Matrix algebra, Systems of linear equations, Eigen values and eigenvectors.
Calculus: Functions of single variable, Limit, continuity and differentiability, Taylor series, Mean value
theorems, Evaluation of definite and improper integrals, Partial derivatives, Total derivative, Maxima
and minima, Gradient, Divergence and Curl, Vector identities, Directional derivatives, Line, Surface and
Volume integrals, Stokes, Gauss and Green’s theorems.
Differential equations: First order equations (linear and nonlinear), higher order linear differential
equations with constant coefficients, Cauchy’s and Euler’s equations, Initial and boundary value
problems, Laplace transforms, Solutions of one-dimensional heat and wave equations and Laplace
equation.
Complex variables: Complex number, polar form of complex number, triangle inequality.
Probability and Statistics: Definitions of probability and sampling theorems, Conditional probability,
Mean, median, mode and standard deviation, Random variables, Poisson, Normal and Binomial
distributions, linear regression analysis.
Numerical Methods: Numerical solutions of linear and non-linear algebraic equations. Integration by
trapezoidal and Simpson’s rule. Single and multi-step methods for numerical solution of differential
equations.
Section 2: Process Calculations and Thermodynamics
Steady and unsteady state mass and energy balances including multiphase, multi- component, reacting
and non-reacting systems. Use of tie components; recycle, bypass and purge calculations; Gibb’s phase
rule and degree of freedom analysis.
First and Second laws of thermodynamics. Applications of first law to close and open systems. Second
law and Entropy. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: Equation of State and residual
properties, properties of mixtures: partial molar properties, fugacity, excess properties and activity
coefficients; phase equilibria: predicting VLE of systems; chemical reaction equilibrium.
Section 3: Fluid Mechanics and Mechanical Operations
Fluid statics, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, shell-balances including differential form of
Bernoulli equation and energy balance, Macroscopic friction factors, dimensional analysis and
similitude, flow through pipeline systems, flow meters, pumps and compressors, elementary boundary
layer theory, flow past immersed bodies including packed and fluidized beds, Turbulent flow:
fluctuating velocity, universal velocity profile and pressure drop.
Particle size and shape, particle size distribution, size reduction and classification of solid particles; free
and hindered settling; centrifuge and cyclones; thickening and classification, filtration, agitation and
mixing; conveying of solids.

Section 4: Heat Transfer

Steady and unsteady heat conduction, convection and radiation, thermal boundary layer and heat
transfer coefficients, boiling, condensation and evaporation; types of heat exchangers and evaporators
and their process calculations. Design of double pipe, shell and tube heat exchangers, and single and
multiple effect evaporators.
Section 5: Mass Transfer
Fick’s laws, molecular diffusion in fluids, mass transfer coefficients, film, penetration and surface
renewal theories; momentum, heat and mass transfer analogies; stage-wise and continuous contacting
and stage efficiencies; HTU & NTU concepts; design and operation of equipment for distillation,
absorption, leaching, liquid-liquid extraction, drying, humidification, dehumidification and adsorption.

Section 6: Chemical Reaction Engineering

Theories of reaction rates; kinetics of homogeneous reactions, interpretation of kinetic data, single and
multiple reactions in ideal reactors, non-ideal reactors; residence time distribution, single parameter
 model; non-isothermal reactors; kinetics of heterogeneous catalytic reactions; diffusion effects in
catalysis.
Section 7: Instrumentation and Process Control
Measurement of process variables; sensors, transducers and their dynamics, process modeling and
linearization, transfer functions and dynamic responses of various systems, systems with inverse
response, process reaction curve, controller modes (P, PI, and PID); control valves; analysis of closed
loop systems including stability, frequency response, controller tuning, cascade and feed forward
control.
Section 8: Plant Design and Economics
Principles of process economics and cost estimation including depreciation and total annualized cost,
cost indices, rate of return, payback period, discounted cash flow, optimization in process design and
sizing of chemical engineering equipment’s such as compressors, heat exchangers, multistage
contactors.
Section 9: Chemical Technology
Inorganic chemical industries (sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, chlor-alkali industry), fertilizers
(Ammonia, Urea, SSP and TSP); natural products industries (Pulp and Paper, Sugar, Oil, and Fats);
petroleum refining and petrochemicals; polymerization industries (polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC
and polyester synthetic fibers).
Section 10:
Introduction To Mineral Engineering, Mineral Resources, Utilization of Mineral Resources,
Sustainability in Mineral Sector, Fluid Kinetics, Particle mechanics, Motion of Particles, Particle
Interaction, Material Properties, Slurry, Geology, Particulate Technology, Analytical Technology In
Mineral Engg., Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Economics/ Organizational Behaviour.
Section 11:
Basics of Mineral Engineering- Introduction, Size Reduction, Size Separation, Density Separation
Method, Surface phenomenon & Froth flotation, Electrical and Magnetic method of concentration,
Dewatering, Extraction, Electrochemistry and Corrosion, Thermodynamics & Kinetics, Fuel
technology, Material Science of Surface Engineering.
Section 12:
Fine Particle Processing for Coal and Minerals- Introduction, Oil agglomeration, Fluidization,
Flocculation and selective Flocculation, Thickening and filtration.
Section 13:
Coal and mineral processing plant design – Introduction, Mineral Process Plant Flow sheets, Coal
preparation plant flow sheets, Material handling and utility system, contracts and project management.
Section 14:
Clean Coal Technology- Introduction to Clean Coal Technology, Coal Cleaning methods, Emission
control, Coal gasification, types of gasifiers, other technologies, Control of Plant Operations, Plant
layout, Fuel technology.
Section 15:
Mineral Policy and Economics- Global scenario, Market structure of Coal, Indian Mineral Industry,
Economics of mineral projects, social and environment assessment.
Section 16:
Coal Preparation- Introduction and coal washability, crushing and screening of coal, gravity separation
of coal, fine coal cleaning and dewatering, coal preparation practices, Process Equipment Selection &
Design, Mineral Legislation And Safety, Industrial Waste Treatment & Management, Extractive
Metallurgy, Mining Machinery, Combustion And Energy Engineering.
Section 17:
Flow-Sheet Design And Plant Layout, Dewatering & Drying, Modeling & Simulation Of Mineral
Processing Unit Operation, Iron & Steel Making, Phase transformation and Heat Treatment
Agglomeration Techniques, Beneficiation Process Control, Environmental Science And Engineering,
Computational Technology In Mineral Processing.

Note*- The above syllabus is indicative in nature and not Exhaustive.