ATTRITION – FLOTATION FOR BENEFICIATING OIL SHALE

Abstract

Oil shale represents an alternative energy source. Beneficiation before retorting is effective in improving its kerogen% .Improper fine grinding of oil shale leads to the appearance of smearing phenomenon which results in flotation deficiency. Attrition scrubbing represents good solution to avoid such phenomenon. A statistical design was used to study the attrition of oil shale in terms of soaking, attrition times and pH. Oil shale flotation was conducted using pine oil and sodium oleate for both conventionally ground and attrited samples. results indicated the attrited samples gave higher kerogen%.