Coal flotation and flocculation in the presence of humic acids

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6991451· OSTI ID:6991451

Lalvani, S B

The principle of coal cleaning using humic acid is as follows. Humic acid is an anionic polyelectrolyte which possesses a high density of carboxyl groups. The mechanism of coal depression involves the selective adsorption of humic acid on the hydrophobic coal through hydrophobic bonding. Pyrite and ash are hydrophilic in nature and are separated from the carbonaceous part of the coal, thus resulting in a cleaner coal. The adsorption characteristics of humic acid on coal are discussed. Humic acid adsorption on coal is modeled in terms of Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Coal cleaning was carried out using humic acid and xanthic acid for coal depression and mineral matter flotation, respectively. Dramatic decrease decrease in ash content was observed while significant recovery of the original coal was accomplished in these flotation experiments. The heating recovery ratios as a function of the xanthic acid addition are also reported. 4 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/FE
• DOE Contract Number: FC22-89PC89904
• OSTI ID: 6991451
• Report Number(s): DOE/PC/89904-T14; ON: DE90011454
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010300* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Preparation-- (1987-)
ADSORPTION
ADSORPTION ISOTHERMS
ASH CONTENT
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLOCCULATION
FLOTATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HUMIC ACIDS
ISOTHERMS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PRECIPITATION
PROGRESS REPORT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SURFACE PROPERTIES
XANTHATES