抄録
The authors have developed a new method to evaluate coal flotation behavior. The liberation degree of mineral matter in feed and the ultimate ash content of froth product can be estimated using this method. Modified release analysis and oil agglomeration tests were carried out using different feed size of coal. The results were plotted on combustible recovery vs. ash content of clean coal curves and on combustible (or mineral matter) recovery vs. yield curves. Graphic analysis of these curves is proposed to give the ultimate ash content of coal concentrate obtained under ideal conditions and the liberation degree of mineral matter of flotation feed. By comparing these curves with conventional flotation results, the mass of mineral matter entrapped mechanically in froth was determined. In this paper the above procedures are described in detail using Datong coal. The ultimate ash content decreased and reached about 1 % with decreasing average feed sizes, smaller than 2μm, and the liberation degree increased to above 90 %. The mass of entrapped mineral matter increased drastically for feed smaller than 20μm.
