Interaction of coal with polymeric emulsions of different composition

This study into efficiency of wetting and agglomeration of coal particles by polymeric emulsions used a set of methods including isothermic calorimetry, determination of wetting angle, examination of emulsion drop permeation, screen analysis of coal treated by emulsions, scanning electron microscopy and water resistance test of agglomerates of coal particles. It is shown that polymeric emulsions of different composition expose similar properties in interaction with coal. From the experimental data on heat flows from coal in contact with emulsions, the dependences of coal wetting on particle size and emulsion concentration are revealed. The obtained values of the wetting angles for coal and polymeric emulsions, as well as the estimate of the emulsion drop penetrability prove high efficiency of emulsions in wetting of coal. The grain-size analysis and scanning electron microscopy find out that treatment with polymeric emulsions results in agglomeration of coal fines and in formation of a film coating on coal surface. It is shown that the agglomerates are hydrophobic and stable in interaction with water. The obtained results agree with the pilot test outcome on coal treatment by polymeric emulsion for coal dust suppression at the rehandling site at Arshanovsky Open Pit Mine.

Gavrilova D. I. Interaction of coal with polymeric emulsions of different composition. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2019;(12):86-101. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.25018/0236-1493-2019-12-086-101.

The research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant No 1877-10052).

D.I. Gavrilova, Engineer, e-mail: d.gavrilova@misis.ru,
National University of Science and Technology «MISiS»,
119049, Moscow, Russia.

D.I. Gavrilova, e-mail: d.gavrilova@misis.ru

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