Effective Flotation of Lignite Using a Mixture of Dodecane and 4-Dodecylphenol (DDP) as a Collector

Abstract

ABSTRACTLignite is difficult to float using common oily collectors, for example, diesel and kerosene. In this investigation, a mixture of dodecane and 4-dodecylphenol (DDP) was used as a collector. The flotation performance using the mixture of dodecane and DDP as a collector is much better than that using dodecane or DDP solely. The concentrate yield using the mixture as a collector is much higher than that using dodecane or DDP solely. However, concentrate ash is lower than that using dodecane or DDP solely. The mixture of dodecane and DDP was proven to be an effective collector for lignite flotation. FTIR was used to indicate the changes in surface properties of lignite before and after the adsorption of different collectors. The improvements in flotation performance of lignite by the mixture are discussed and the adsorption mechanism of the dodecane and DDP on lignite surface was also obtained. Using the mixture of DDP and dodecane as the collector, the dodecane primarily covers the hydrophobic sites on the lignite surface while the DDP primarily covers the hydrophilic sites on the lignite surface.