Froth flotation of minerals, esp. coal - using plant oil, esp. sunflower oil

摘要

A mineral is purified by flotation using at least one oil from a plant source. Specifically the mineral is crushed coal and the oil is sunflower oil. Specifically the mineral is crushed, slurried with water, the plant oil added and the mixt. agitated. A frothing agent may be added. Concentrate from the first flotation may be further separated in a second flotation, opt. with addition of more oil. Shale etc. is removed. Coal with ash content about 10% can be used in a steelworks and coal with 15-20% ash content can be burnt in power stations. The plant oil can be produced locally and is not subject to restrictions which may be applied to kerosine or fuel oil.