An evaluation of fine coal flotation at the Chaili Coal Washery

The potential application of flotation for the treatment and processing of a fine-particle coal stream was investigated for the Chaili Coal Washery of the Zaozhuang Coal Mine Administration, Shandong Province, China. A goal of the test work was to evaluate the application of the Microcel{trademark} flotation column and compare its performance to conventional flotation. Small-scale flotation tests were performed in the laboratory and on-site with fine coal slurry samples from the plant thickener underflow, i.e., the washing plant`s undersized reject material. Flotation tests were conducted on-site with a 7.6-cm diameter Microcel{trademark} column and with small-scale conventional cells. Column flotation tests were performed to determine a recovery-grade relationship for the fine coal feed, which contained about 24% ash, and to obtain sufficient data to enable scale-up to a large-diameter unit. A primary objective was to establish the maximum throughput capacity of a Microcel flotation column while operating to produce a clean coal product with ash content of 7.5--7.8%. Results of the test work indicate that this product quality could be achieved at feed rates of 15--19 tph to a 3-m diameter Microcel flotation column. Lower ash products, i.e. 5--7% ash, were obtained but at lower column throughput capacities. Comparative flotation tests,more » conducted with conventional flotation cells, indicated that a product ash of only 8% or greater was achieved in a single-stage test.« less