Abstract
Three run-of-mine bituminous coals, ranging in rank from low volatile to high volatile A, were floated at nominal −28 mesh (590 µm),-100 mesh (150 µm), and −400 mesh (37 µm) feed particle sizes with selected pyrite depressants and a dispersant. For the three coals tested, pyrite and ash-forming minerals were usually rejected best at −100 mesh feed particle size. Depressant additions tended to improve flotation selectivity between pyrite and coal. When joint dispersant-depressant systems were used at −100 mesh (150 µm) feed particle sizes, the total sulfur content of the clean coal decreased further. For a comparable coal yield, less fuel oil collector was required for the flotation of −100 mesh coal than was required for the flotation of either −28 or −400 mesh feed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aplan, F.F., 1989, “Coal Flotation—The Promise and the Problems,” Advances in Coal and Mineral Processing Using Flotation, S. Chander and R.R. Klimpel, eds., Littleton, CO, SME-AIME, pp. 95–104.
Arnold, B.J., and Aplan, F.F., 1986, “The Effect of Clay Slimes on Coal Flotation, Part I: The Nature of the Clay,” International Journal of Mineral Processing, Vol. 17, pp. 225–242.
Arnold, B.J. and Aplan, F.F., 1989, “The Use of Pyrite Depressants to Reduce the Sulfur Content of Upper Freeport Seam Coal,” Proceedings of Processing and Utilization of High Sulfur Coals, III, R. Markuszewski and T.D. Wheelock, eds., Ames, IA, Elsevier, Amsterdam.
Choudhry, V., 1979, The Use of Pyrite Depressants in Coal Flotation, M.S. Thesis, The Pennsylvania State University.
Choudhry, V., and Aplan, F.F., 1990, “The Depression of Pyrite During Coal Flotation,” Manuscript submitted to Minerals & Metallurgical Processing.
Crawford, J.T., 1936, “Importance of Pulp Density, Particle Size and Feed Regulation in Flotation of Coal,” Transactions, AIME, Vol. 119, pp. 150–162.
Davis, D.H., 1948, “Froth Flotation of Minus 48 Mesh Bituminous Coal Slurries,” Transactions, AIME, Vol. 177, pp. 320–337.
Miller, F.G., 1964, “Reduction of Sulfur in Minus 28 Mesh Bituminous Coal,” Transactions, AIME, Vol. 229, pp. 7–15.
Olson, T.J., and Aplan, F.F., 1984, “The Flotability of Locked Particles in a Coal Flotation System,” Proceedings of the Second International Congress on Applied Mineralogy in the Minerals Industry, W.C. Park, D.M. Hausen, and R.D. Hagni, eds., TMS, Warrendale, PA, pp. 367–393.
Perry, R.W., and Aplan, F.F., 1985, “Polysaccharides and Xanthated Polysaccharides as Pyrite Depressants During Coal Flotation,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Processing and Utilization of High Sulfur Coals, Attia, Y.A., ed., Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 367–393.
Perry, R.W., and Aplan, F.F., 1988, “Adsorption of Polysaccharides and Related Compounds onto Coal and Their Effect on the Flotation of Coal and Pyrite,” Separation Science and Technology, Vol. 23, pp. 2097–2112.
Sun, S.C., and Zimmerman, R.E., 1950, “The Mechanism of Coarse Coal and Mineral Froth Flotations,” Transactions, AIME, Vol. 187, pp. 616–622.
Yancey, H.F., and Taylor, J.A., 1935, “Froth Flotation of Coal: Sulfur and Ash Reduction,” US Bureau of Mines R.I. 2363.
Zimmerman, R.E., 1948, “Flotation of Bituminous Coal,” Transactions, AIME, Vol. 177, pp. 338–355.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
SME preprint 90-118, SME Annual Meeting, Feb. 26–March 1, 1990, Salt Lake City, UT. M&MP paper 90-632.
Discussion of this paper must be submitted, in duplicate, prior to Aug. 1, 1991.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Raleigh, C.E., Aplan, F.F. Effect of feed particle size and reagents on coal-mineral matter selectivity during the flotation of bituminous coals. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 8, 82–90 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402937
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402937