Research On The Effect Of Polyethylene Glycol And Its Derivatives In Coal Flotation

Flotation reagent is the key factors in the separation of minerals in the process of flotation.The advantages and disadvantages of its’ performance will largely effects the flotation indexes, thus affecting resources comprehensive utilization rate and the economic benefits of enterprises. The future development of coal flotation should be to inprove mineral recovery and protect the environment as the main starting point,seek a kind of excellent performance and environmental flotation reagents.This paper used different molecular weight of PEG reagents and water solution of polyethylene nonionic surface active agent for foaming agent,oil solution of polyethylene nonionic surface active agent for promoter. Flotation tests on Dayuan coal sample and Majialiang coal sample and related characterization methods were made.The acting law of polyethylene glycol(PEG) and its derivatives in coal flotation process and the relationship of molecular weight 、 surface activity 、 solubility and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance were preliminary disscussed. And attempts to find a efficient and environmentally flotation reagent suitable for different metamorphic degree of coal.The flotation effect of polyethylene glycol as a foaming agent is relative to its foaming perfomance.The middle molecular weight of PEG like PEG 600、PEG 1000 has suitable viscosity,stable foaming,better foaming performance and significant promoting effect in the peocess of coal slime flotation.The low or high molecular weight polyethylene glycol has a weak effect on the flotation process because of its viscosity, solubility, foaming property and other problems.Compared with the commonly used industrial foaming agent octanol,the PEG has a more obvious advantages in recycling utilization and selectivity.The water soluble polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants which the HLB was 13~14 have good effect as foaming agent.The oil solution of polyethylene nonionic surface active agent on the flotation efficiency was significantly better than the kerosene. The oil soluble fatty acid polyoxyethylene ester has good selectivity and theTX-4、MOA-3、O-3、LAE-4 etc has good promoting effect for Dayuan coal samples;the fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ester has good selectivity and theTX-4、MOA-3、O-3、O-5 etc has good promoting effect for Majialiang coal samples.The contact angle and surface tension of all kinds of polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants have a good corresponding relationship with the clean coal yield,clean coal ash and tail coal ash.