Immersion Calorimetry of Fine Coal Particles and its Relation to Flotation

Abstract

A Seta ram C-80 heat flux calorimeter was used to study the surface and interfacial properties of fine coal particles in water containing flotation agents via heat of immersion measurements. Heat of immersion (ΔH_imm) is usually a small exothermic quantity¹ and can be used to characterize a solid in terms of its relative hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity. The effects of coal type, surface oxidation, mineral matter content, kerosene concentration, and pH on the wetting characteristics were investigated. Results obtained from the calorimetry experiments correlated well with results from independent flotation experiments.

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T. G. MELKUS

Now at the University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557-0047, USA.