Quantitative Evaluation of Frother Blend Interaction and Its Effect on Coal Flotation

Abstract

In this investigation the weak and powerful frothers, like methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) and polyethylene glycol-600 (PEG) were used for studying the surface tension of frother blends at various concentrations. The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) were determined using surface tension values at different concentrations. PEG requires very low concentration (100 ppm) to attain the CMC, whereas for MIBC, about ten times more concentration (1000 ppm) is required.The interactions between the different types of frother molecules at different blends were studied through different thermodynamic properties. A more negative value of interaction parameter (â)and heat of adsorption are found at 90:10 ratio of frother blend. Flotation studies of coal fines were studied with above two types of frothers and their blend. It is found that recovery of carbon value increases significantly when a 10% (w/w) of powerful frother was added with MIBC. The recovery of carbon at 90:10 ratio of frother blend is 77.6% at 18% ash.