Fine coal flotation process intensification: part 1-A general overview of the state-of-the-art of the related research work conducted both within and abroad

Fine coal flotation is one of the important and complicated links in coal preparation and processing process. An analysis is made in the paper of the hot points of interest in coal flotation process with the focus centered on the intensified process of flotation of low-rank, oxidized and difficult-to-float high-ash coal. Following a general discussion on the aspects concerning surface properties and size consist of fine coal, as well as the interfacial effect and hydrodynamic environment of coal flotation process, the paper presents an overview of the advances of the research work made both at home and abroad on intensification of fine coal flotation process. At the end of the paper, a general analysis is made of the state-of -the-art of the fine coal flotation technologies abroad and the orientation of the development of such technologies in the future, by citing the fine coal flotation technologies currently available in the US as an example.