Mahua oil as an alternative biodegradable collector for the flotation of low-rank high-ash oxidized coals based on kinetic studies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals is a challenging task for the recovery of carbonaceous material using conventional collectors. The presence of polar hydroxyl, carbonyl, phenols, and other oxygenated functional groups on the surface of such colas influence the hydrophobicity of coals. The present paper summarizes the results of in-depth studies on the analysis of the flotation response of low-volatile-medium coking coal using two types of collectors viz., the conventional Diesel oil and a biodegradable Mahua oil. The performance and response of the flotation to these two reagents have been analyzed through kinetic studies. Further, the presence of oxygenated functional groups and fatty acids in the biodegradable collector markedly enhances the flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals (also called LVMC coal) are compared with the conventional collector diesel oil. The paper recommends that, since biodegradable oil is a natural, renewable, environmentally friendly, nontoxic oil, which has no chemical additives or harmful chemicals, it can be used as an alternative collector for the flotation of low-rank-oxidized coals.