Surface Energy and Induction Time of Fine Coals Treated with Various Levels of Dispersed Collector and Their Correlation to Flotation Responses

Abstract

Separation of fine coal in froth flotation relies upon the wettability difference between the coal-rich and mineral-rich particles in the aqueous solution. Two methods were used to measure the wettability of six ranks of coal as well as coal samples treated with various levels of dispersed collector in aqueous solution. Wettability was determined by measuring the distribution of critical wetting surface tension, i.e., surface energy, using the film flotation technique and by measuring the induction time, i.e., bubble-particle attachment time, of the material. The wetting of coal particles is strongly dependent upon the coalification processes and can be affected by ash content. For anthracite coal with a high ash content, very high surface energy and intermediate induction time were measured, but intermediate floatability with a very good ash rejection was obtained. Sub-bituminous coal with low mineral inclusion was found to have a relatively low surface energy, and thus a high floatability, but very poor selectivity was observed, which was reflected in lengthened induction time. When dynamics of flotation behaviors are involved, flotation results can be better interpreted by induction time. For dispersed collector-treated coal samples, an increase in collector dispersion (i.e., a decrease in kerosene droplet size), by direct liquid collector mechanical agitation, ultrasonic energy emulsification, or atomization, caused decreases in surface energy and induction time and closely matched the increase of flotation recovery and selectivity. With similar particle density, mineral liberation conditions, and particle size, the induction time was found to be closely related to the mean critical surface tension for untreated coal samples and for HV-bituminous coal samples treated by various levels of dispersed collector.