EMULSIFIED REAGENT MIXTURE’S EFFECTS ON COAL FLOTATION

A series of tests were conducted with different reagent mixtures already containing collector, frother and polymer. Then 2% emulsifier was added to examine its effects on the overall efficiency of coal flotation process in general and ash, yield, recovery and the rate of flotation in particular. The results were also compared with non-emulsified reagent mixture. A conventional batch flotation procedure was used in the laboratory test work with standard parameters and conditions.The reagent mixture was the only variable which was tested at different dosage to easily analyze the flotation results. It was observed that at lower dosages of each reagent mixture, the overall performance was enhanced by the addition of emulsifier as compared to non-emulsified reagent mixture. It also resulted in higher recovery of combustible material with low percentage of ash content. The % recovery remained almost the same as was observed in the nonemulsified reagent. At higher dosages, the efficiency was adversely effected by the addition of emulsifier in the reagent mixtures. However, the increase in the percent weight yield with low % of recovery and high ash content was noticed.