Particle-Oil Absorption in Coal Flotation

This study examines the impact of systematically varying pine oil concentrations on particle-oil adsorption and the overall efficiency of froth flotation for cleaning coal samples collected from the Katras Area 4, Akashkinaree, and Moonidih coal mines. Froth flotation, utilizing diesel oil as a collector and pine oil as a frother, is a widely employed method for separating valuable coal from ash-forming mineral impurities. The primary objective of this investigation is to optimize the frother dosage to enhance the hydrophobic interactions between diesel oil and coal particles, thereby improving coal recovery, reducing ash content in the final concentrate, and maintaining an acceptable yield. Flotation experiments were conducted using a constant diesel oil dosage of 3 ml while varying pine oil concentrations at 1.50 ml, 1.75 ml, and 2.00 ml. The performance of each frother dosage was evaluated by analyzing the ash content of the coal sample before and after flotation. The results aim to highlight the critical role of pine oil concentration in promoting effective particle-oil adsorption and improving flotation efficiency. By systematically analyzing the ash reduction achieved at different frother concentrations, the study aims to determine the role of pine oil dosage in improving particle-oil adsorption and flotation efficiency. This investigation provides valuable insights into the relationship between frother dosage and flotation performance, contributing to the broader understanding of coal beneficiation processes. The findings can guide the optimization of frother usage in coal flotation circuits, offering practical benefits for coal preparation plants seeking to improve product quality, reduce processing costs, and enhance environmental compliance through lower ash content in the final product.