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Laboratory baffled-column flotation of mixed Lower/Middle Kittanning seam bituminous coal

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Abstract

The separating efficiency of a flotation column is largely limited by the degree of back mixing of tailings into the froth zone, and the recovery is limited by the degree of short-circuiting of feed to the tailings. Current columns are typically constructed very tall (30 to 40 ft) to limit the effects of back mixing and short-circuiting. These effects can also be reduced in a much shorter column, provided that the flow in the column approaches plug-flow.

In this work, horizontal baffles were shown to improve the performance of a 6-ft laboratory-scale flotation column treating a poorly floatable coal. Tests with variations in the baffle positions showed that baffles are needed both above and below the feed inlet to achieve the greatest benefit. Tracer tests with a fluorescent dye in water showed that baffles reduce the amount of feed water entrained in the froth at any given coal recovery.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metals and Materials Engineering Department, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA

    S. K. Kawatra (Member SME, professor) & T. C. Eisele (Member SME, graduate student)

Authors
  1. S. K. Kawatra
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  2. T. C. Eisele
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Additional information

SME Preprint 94-22, SME Annual Meeting, Feb. 14–17, 1994, Albuquerque, NM.

Discussion of this peer-reviewed and approved paper is invited and must be submitted, in duplicate, prior to Aug. 31, 1995.

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Kawatra, S.K., Eisele, T.C. Laboratory baffled-column flotation of mixed Lower/Middle Kittanning seam bituminous coal. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 12, 103–107 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403086

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403086

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