Investigation of synergistic mechanism of magnesium ions and cationic surfactant in low-rank coal flotation

Abstract

The effect of magnesium ions on the adsorption of DTAB (Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide) surfactants by low-rank coal using adsorption experiments and microscopic mechanism analysis. In addition, the flotation recovery of coal was summarized for application by micro flotation test. The results of adsorption experiments showed that 0.1 mM magnesium ions concentration is optimal, with 12.55 mg/g adsorption capacity. Besides, correlation analysis reveals that the adsorption capacity is positively correlated with temperature, surfactant concentration, reaction time and the magnesium ions density. Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics experiments indicate that magnesium ions promote adsorption by increasing the adsorption active sites of coal and accelerating the adsorption rate of DTAB on coal. Furthermore, the results of contact angle, zeta potential, model calculations and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analyses reveal that magnesium ions and its hydrolysates can adsorb on the coal as a bridge and destroy the stable hydrogen bond on the coal to activate the adsorption, which enhance the negatively charged coal to electrostatically adsorb positively charged DTAB. Moreover, the recovery rate of low-rank coal flotation using DTAB combined with magnesium ions was tested by a micro flotation apparatus, which provides a guidance for the flotation application by saline surfactant solution on coal.