Oxidation Phenomena in Coal Flotation Part I. Correlation Between Oxygen Functional Group Concentration, Immersion Wettability and Salt Flotation Response

Abstract

Samples of bituminous and anthracite coals were oxidized under different conditions and their wetting behavior was assessed by measurement of the time for immersion into solutions of methanol and water. Flotation recoveries of the oxidized coals in concentrated salt solutions were determined using vacuum flotation cells. The extent of surface oxidation was quantified by titrating the carboxylic and phenolic functional groups. Correlations of notation recoveries, immersion time, and electrophoretic mobilities with the concentration of surface functional groups were made. Simple immersion-lime measurements may be a useful tool for rapidly assessing the surface properties of coals.