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Title: Control of pyrite surface chemistry in physical coal cleaning. Third quarterly progress report, March 1, 1990--May 31, 1990

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10155008· OSTI ID:10155008

Correlation of the hydrophobicity measurements of coal and mineral pyrite with changes in the surface composition of the samples as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that similar surface oxidation products are found on both mineral and coal pyrite samples. The surface oxidation layer of these samples is comprised of different amounts of hydrophilic species (iron hydroxy-oxides and/or iron oxides) and hydrophobic species (polysulfide or elemental sulfur). The resulting hydrophobicity of these samples may be attributed to the ratio of hydrophilic (surface oxides) to hydrophobic (sulfur-containing) species in the surface oxidation layer. Also, coal pyrite samples were found to exhibit a greater degree of superficial oxidation and a less hydrophobic character as compared to the mineral pyrite samples.

Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States). Dept. of Mining and Minerals Engineering
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-89PC89789
OSTI ID:
10155008
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/89789-T7; ON: DE92015801
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 24 Jun 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English