Continuous column flotation of ultrafine coal using microbubbles

A flotation column has been developed Incorporating the use of fine air bubbles (less than 100 microns) to remove ash-forming minerals from micronized coal. The microbubble generator used In this work has been characterized and found to yield a very narrow size distribution. Microbubble column flotation tests have been conducted to study a series of operating variables such as time, bubble size, feed rate, feed point, feed percent solids, column height, bubble number concentration, make-up water addition and countercurrent wash water addition. The results show that i) fine air bubbles are Inherently better suited for floating small particles; ii) both ash and recovery rates Increase with Increasing feed rate, distance of the feed point from the tailings port, feed percent solids and bubble number concentration; iii) taller columns result In Improved recovery and ash rejection; and iv) the countercurrent wash water addition minimizes the entrainment of mineral matter to the froth product. Proper control of these parameters makes It possible to produce super clean coal (< 2% ash).

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mining and Minerals Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• Keyser, Paul Martin

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/90973

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/90973