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Title: Fine coal flotation of plant waste: An in-plant comparison -- columns vs. sub-a cell

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6132597

The objective of this project is to compare the flotation effectiveness of the column flotation and the sub-aeration technology to clean very fine ({minus}100 mesh) coal in the waste streams of coal washing plants. The recent developments in the flotation of fine coal from the waste streams of coal washing plants has been favorable. Good concentrate grades along with a high recovery of energy content have been achieved while rejecting a large percentage of the ash forming minerals and pyrite. However, comparative data of columns vs. sub-aeration cells is not available from a single plant. This project was developed to install a small commercial size Deister Column beside the existing sub-aeration flotation cells at Kerr-McGee's Galatia Plant so that a comparison of the flotation results can be made. A representative split of the fines which normally goes to sub-aeration cells can be diverted without reagent, to the column for continuous side by side flotation testing over an extended period. It is anticipated that at least six weeks of side by side testing will be required for complete comparison of the two flotation techniques. During this quarter additional tests have been conducted on both the Deister Column Laboratory machine and the continuous flow unit subaeration cells to determine optimum grades and recoveries which might be expected during the plant comparison tests. Improvements have been made over results reported last year. The chief metallurgist for Deister spent a day working with ISGS and the Deister Column reviewing points which would improve the results of the Column, and provided a new, improved pair of bubble generators which are currently being installed in the column. 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
FG22-90PC90176
OSTI ID:
6132597
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/90176-T6; ON: DE91010505
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English