COAL FLOTATION IN MIXTURES OF INORGANIC SALTS

Abstract

Coal is not only an indispensable source of energy but also it has various applications. However, its impurities limit its usage. Although the flotation is the most common beneficiation technique, it consumes a considerable amount of water. Therefore, different types of water were tested in coal flotation. In particular, saline water was found to enhance the flotation of naturally hydrophobic coal particles. In this research, two coal samples differ in their ash content were subjected to flotation using some inorganic salts. Statistical design was used to study the binary, tertiary salt mixtures and to optimize the flotation process. It was observed that Mg ions have positive effect