Effect of synthetic latexes on the rate of sedimentation of coal-mineral sludges

An investigation of the flocculation effects of synthetic rubber latexes in the flotation cleaning of coals was presented. Experiments were run with various types of coal used for coking, anthracites, jigging machine tailings, and clay shale. The solids concentrations in the experiments were 5 kg/m/sup 3/, the product was crushed to below 100 microns, and the sedimentation trials were run in glass beakers using magnetic stirrers. Standard sedimentation curves were produced for varying concentrations of latex. It was concluded that the greatest flocculation effect occurred at low latex concentrations, and increases in the latex concentration did not produce significant increases in flocculating effect.