Coal Flotation with Nonionic Surfactants

Abstract The flotation response of two high-sulfur coals to a variety of collectors was studied in detail using a 2-liter Denver flotation cell. In comparison with dodecane as the standard oily collector, the introduction of a benzene ring into the oily collector can significantly improve its collecting ability for coal. In our two series of compounds containing oxygenated functional groups, it was necessary to incorporate a benzene ring in the molecular structure in order to have an effective collector without die use of dodecane. The results showed that a much lower dosage of these nonionic surfactants was required to achieve the same coal recovery as compared with dodecane. Most important was the performance of these compounds as promoters for oxidized as well as unoxidized coal. Mechanisms of interaction of these compounds with coal are suggested