ABSTRACT This study investigates the surface characteristics of Yongshengyuan (YSY) low-rank coal, a material known for its flotation challenges, employing a suite of analytical techniques such as Zeta potential analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction phase analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The flotation performance of low-rank coal was evaluated using three distinct surfactants (sodium petroleum sulfonate, hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, methyl oleate) in conjunction with 3# oil (base oil). The experimental results demonstrate that all surfactants enhance the flotation efficiency of low-rank coal, with the combination of sodium petroleum sulfonate and methyl oleate with 3# oil proving most effective. Comprehensive analyses of AFM, Zeta potential, contact angle and wetting heat of coal sample pre and post-application of the compound reagent, reveal that the surfactant preferentially interacts with the polar hydrophilic sites on the YSY low-rank coal surface. This interaction diminishes the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups on the coal surface, increases the ratio of hydrophobic groups, enhances the coal’s hydrophobicity, and consequently bolsters the flotation efficiency of the low-rank coal.
Read full abstract