Froth flotation is a process in which valuable minerals are separated from gangue minerals on the basis of surface wettabilities. It is a universally accepted process for the beneficiation of coal. The large amount of coal fines that have been generated from both mining and beneficiation processes has been reported as a chronic problem to both fine coal preparation and utilization as these fines contain a high amount of ash forming minerals. The current study investigated the potential application of Synthetic Bio-compatible Polymers as slime depressants in fine coal flotation for the possibility to enhance the combustible recovery and ash rejection. Raw coal samples containing 21% of ash-forming minerals were crushed, grinded and floated in the presence of Chitosan polymer. Flotation tests were carried out in D-12 Denver flotation cell with 1-Liter capacity. Flotation outcomes were studied as a function of polymer concentration. Box-Behnken factorial method was used for experimental design. Second order response functions were produced for ash% and combustible recovery. The results obtained from this study demonstrated positive influence of chitosan polymer on ash% and combustible recovery. Ash % was decreased by 3.32 % while an increase of 48.15 % in combustible recovery was observed when chitosan was introduced in the flotation process.
- Beneficiation,
- Chitosan,
- Coal,
- Coal industry,
- Concentration (process),
- Froth flotation,
- Minerals,
- Combustible recovery,
- Compatible polymers,
- Factorial methods,
- Flotation process,
- Gangue minerals,
- Polymer concentrations,
- Second order response functions,
- Surface wettability,
- Metal recovery
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lana-alagha/12/