AN ELECTROKINETIC STUDY OF BITUMINOUS COAL FROTH FLOT A TION AND FLOCCULATION

Special Research Report SR-74 Four major problems facing the coal industry which are potentially combatable through the utilization of surface dependent processes, i.e. froth flotation and flocculation, are fine coal cleaning, separation of coal constituents, pyrite removal and pollution abatement. In order for coal scientists to adequately resolve these problems, the objectives of this work were made twofold; first, to improve the understanding of the surface properties of bituminous coal and coal constituents in water systems, and second, to determine how chemical reagents used in existing operations, both flotation and flocculation, behave at the coal surface. The surface properties were clearly established and a model showing the interaction of the surface with water is proposed. The impurity content of the coal constituents is discussed and offered as a plausible explanation for the different surface properties displayed by the coal constituents.