Performance optimization of Jameson flotation technology for fine coal cleaning

A performance optimization study has been conducted using a laboratory Jame son Flotation Cell, which resulted in the development of empirical models f or four key response parameters, such as product ash content, product total sulfur content, combustible recovery and separation efficiency. The empiri cal models were utilized to identify an appropriate experimental region to achieve a target set of metallurgical performances from the treatment of a potation feed sample. The separation performance obtained from the treatmen t of three additional coal samples used in this investigation indicate that a high positive bias factor of about 0.6, which translates to a wash water ratio of 2.5, is required to produce superior quality coal especially from the treatment of high ash coals. The separation performance obtained using the same orifice-downcomer combination with various size separation chambe rs indicate that the diameter of the separation chamber of the Jameson Cell can be potentially reduced without affecting the separation performance. I n other words, more number of downcomers can be used with the same size cel l, which will significantly improve the throughput capacity of the Jameson flotation technology without sacrificing the separation performance. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.