Understanding the relationship between the wettability of ultrafine coal particles and flotation response

Abstract

ABSTRACT As a parameter to measure wettability, wetting heat change occurs when the interface substitution happened. There are few researches on the relationship between coal flotation and wetting heat. The wetting heat is the key variable that determines wettability. Calorimeter is a reliable means to measure the wetting heat. In this study, the heat flow during the wetting process of ultrafine coal particles was measured by calorimetry (UCP). The contact angle of the samples was determined by a contact angle meter. These wettability indexes were then related to the flotation response as determined by micro-flotation tests. The effects of regulators on the wettability of UCP were analyzed. It was found that there was a positive correlation between wetting heat reduction and flotation combustible recovery. The variance in the contact angle induced by regulators was also a factor affecting the flotation response. Results indicated that the wettability interpreted by wetting heat and contact angle is an excellent indicator for the flotation response of UCP. This research will help to understand the relationship between wettability and UCP flotation response. The research provided considerable regulators for improving UCP flotation.