A pilot-scale flotation column to produce beneficiated coal fractions having high concentration of vitrinite maceral

A pilot-scale flotation column was used to produce beneficiated vitrinite-rich fractions from two coal samples from south western Colombia, Guachinte and Yolanda. The coal samples of less than 38 mu m in size were processed in the flotation column at pH ranging from 7 to I I using various concentrations of a particular frother. Results showed that, using a single stage separation, maximum mass yield of float fractions was 84.6% w/w for Guachinte coal and 55.5% w/w for Yolanda. The maximum ash removals were 71.7 and 76.5% for Guachinte and Yolanda coals, respectively. This corresponds to sulphur removals of 63.2% for Guachinte coal and 75.4% for Yolanda coal. The highest concentration of vitrinite was obtained using Yolanda coal. It was in the order of 99.8% at neutral pH and when using the highest frother concentration. This result is the highest concentration of vitrinite macerat reported in the literature using a pilot-scale flotation column. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.