Optimization of the coal slime flotation reagent regime at Changcun Mine Coal Preparation Plant

The < 0.25 mm primary slime for treating in flotation circuit of the plant contains a relatively high proportion of < 0.045 mm fine size particles which is composed predominantly of quartz and kaolin. For selection of optimum kinds of reagent and determination of optimum dosages, laboratory flotation experiment is conducted. Test result shows that the flotation performance varies, depending on the use of reagents, and there exists a certain interaction between reagents. When industrial collector and frother are used in combination with a respective dosage of 600、80 g/t, the yield and ash of flotation concentrate are 70.42% and 7.70% respectively while the ash of tailings is only lowered to 46.51%. Yet, when collector is used together with frother secondary caprylic alcohol, with a respective dosage being the same as in the former case, the yield and ash of concentrate goes up to 85.38% and 9.43% respectively while the ash of tailings is as high as 75.52%, achieving a flotation performance much better than in the case of using kerosene secondary caprylic alcohol. Whereas, with the combined use of frother and kerosene, the yield and ash of concentrate is 69.86% and 7.72% respectively while the ash of tailings is 46.68%.