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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Development of enhanced sulfur rejection processes. Final technical progress report, fifth quarter, October 1--December 31, 1993

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:10107548

Two complementary concepts for improving the removal of inorganic sulfur from many eastern US coals are the Electrochemically Enhanced Sulfur Rejection (EESR) and Polymer Enhanced Sulfur Rejection (PESR). The EESR process uses electrochemical techniques to suppress the formation of hydrophobic oxidation products believed to be responsible for the floatability of coal pyrite. The PESR process uses polymeric reagents that react with pyrite and convert floatable middlings (composite particles composed of pyrite with coal inclusions) into hydrophilic particles. It is believed that these processes can be used simultaneously to maximize the rejection of both well-liberated pyrite and composite coal-pyrite particles. During the current reporting period, work was conducted in the following areas: studies of the liberation characteristics of various pyrite samples, identification of oxidation products on pyrite using XPS technique, studies of reagent adsorption on pyrite using FTIR and contact angles, identification of the most effective sacrificial anode material for depressing pyrite, and identification of the most effective polymer for depressing pyrite. Some of the more significant findings made during the current reporting periods are as follows: (1) liberation characteristics of Illinois No. 6 coal have been determined, (2) effects of pH and electrochemical potentials on the flotation of coal and mineral pyrite have been established, (3) an effective method of keeping coal pyrite under reducing conditions and, hence, preventing self-induced flotation has been developed, and (4) an effective polymeric pyrite depressant has been identified.

Research Organization:
Virginia Center for Coal and Minerals Processing, Blacksburg, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-92PC92246
OSTI ID:
10107548
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/92246--T6; ON: DE95005181; BR: AA0520000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English