Muhammad Saeed Ullah
Kocaeli University, Turkey
Title: Optimization of Froth Flotation Variables for Pyritic Sulfur Removal from Pakistan’s Coal (Bituminous)
Biography
Biography: Muhammad Saeed Ullah
Abstract
Coals are heterogeneous, complex and noncrystalline macromolecules containing both organic and inorganic materials. Inorganic constituents, especially sulfur plays a decisive role in the utilization of coal systems. The undesirable ash and sulfur contents can be reduced using physical–chemical and chemical methods. ‘Froth flotation’ is a physical–chemical method that is capable of reducing pyritic sulfur and the ash content of coal. In this research work, key operating variable (pH, air flow rate, composition of feed and separation time) were investigated in a lab-scale froth flotation unit and separation time & air flow rate were found to be the most effective variables for the removal of pyrite sulfur and ash contents from the coal samples. Wetting agent (Polyvinyl Alcohol) and frothing agent (Pine oil) are used that helps for stabilizing air bubble in the froth flotation column and capturing the pyrite sulfur from the column. Present research showed that PVA has a good role as good wetting agent for the pyrite sulfur/coal mixture. Considering the market price of PVA, it is the most feasible option as wetting agent. The optimum values for pH, separation time and air velocity were 7, 40 minutes and 90 scfh respectively. At these optimum values removal of sulfur and ash contents were highest. This combined approach consisting of physical followed by chemical cleaning of coal was found to have potential applications for significant removal of ash and sulfur from bituminous coal with less investment and less generation of waste water.