Experimental study on flotation of Shuozhou Mining Area's high-ash fine coal

The fine coal in Shuozhou Mining Area is high in ash for its high content of fine slime. To address this problem, the fine coal in the mining area is taken as the object of study. Both tests on timed-release flotation and reagent regime are conducted along with size and density analysis, with an aim to provide a basis for upgrading and utilization of the fine coal. Test result shows that the proportion of the < 0.045 mm size in the fine coal makes up 14.48% and has an ash of 42.40% while the > 1.8 g/cm³ density fractions accounts for 44.06% with a highest ash level of up to 67.25%; as indicated by test on agent regime, when the dosage of agents is increased to 2 000 g/t (collector: 1 500 g/t; frother: 500 g/t), the ash of flotation tailings can be increased to 83.03%; and the ash of the concentrate product obtained through primary flotation process lies in a range of 16%~18%. It is recommended to treat the fine coal with cleaning process for achieving a better upgrading and ash reduction result.