Utilization of the mixture of ethylene tar and different petrochemical by-products as collectors for coal flotation

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ethylene tar and mixtures of ethylene tar with other petrochemical by-products were used as collectors for coal flotation. The results showed that the 1# compound collector was better than kerosene in terms of selectivity and collectibility for coal flotation. When the collector dosage was 1500 g/t, the yield of clean coal using the 1# compound collector increased by 4.05%, and the reduction in ash content was 0.36% lower compared to using kerosene. The mechanism of action of 1# compound collector on the coal surface was analyzed in combination with GC-MS tests and FTIR tests. The 1# compound collector contains more aromatics, olefins and heteropolar substances than kerosene. When the aromatics in the 1# compound collector interact with the nonpolar sites on the coal surface via π–π stacking interactions, some of the polar sites sandwiched between the aromatic compound molecules are covered. The olefins contained therein engage with the nonpolar sites on the surface experiences interactions attributable to van der Waals forces. The oxygenated functional groups of alcohols, acids, esters and carbonyl compounds engage with the polar sites on the surface of the particles through hydrogen bonding.