Effect of slurry preconditioning on the occurrence of major minerals in the flotation products of coal. Issue 9 (2nd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Danlong; Liang, Yannan; Wang, Haian; Yang, Lu; Yan, Xiaokang; Wang, Lijun; Zhang, Haijun
• Is Part Of: International journal of coal preparation and utilization. Volume 42:Issue 9(2022)
• Page Start: 2597
• Page End: 2612
• Publication Date: 2022-09-02
• Subjects: Slurry preconditioning -- mineral occurrence -- flotation -- coal -- intensification; Coal preparation -- Periodicals; Coal -- Research -- Periodicals; 662.62
• DOI: 10.1080/19392699.2020.1866562
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1939-2699

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Organic and inorganic matters are two main compositions of coal, and their occurrence forms in flotation products are closely associated with the ultimate flotation performance. Considering that pulp-mixing stage can strongly affect particle surface properties, this study tentatively investigated the effect of slurry preconditioning on the element distribution of major minerals in flotation products of coal using a jet-flow mixer under various energy inputs. Measurements were obtained using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, laser particle size analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and a scanning electron microscope. The flotation results indicated that the optimal performance was obtained at 98.57 W/kg with a maximum combustible matter recovery (93.51%) and yield (85.56%). Throughout the flotation time, three variational stages of particle diameters were identified from relatively medium size to finer size and then to coarser size, corresponding to a progressive increase in the ash content of concentrates. Furthermore, the combined analyses of mineral phase and morphological characteristics revealed that kaolinite exhibited a higher removal rate than quartz in concentrates, for an appropriate conditioning intensity could detach fine slimes coating on coal surface but weakly influence the interlocked coal-mineral bodies. On the whole, an optimized preconditioning process could intensify the selective mineral migration to some extent.