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An investigation of the efficacy of biological additives for the suppression of pyritic sulphur during simulated froth flotation of coal
Author(s) -
Stainthorpe A. C.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260330606
Subject(s) - sulfur , coal , environmental science , waste management , biochemical engineering , pulp and paper industry , petroleum engineering , chemistry , engineering , organic chemistry
The biological molecule responsible for the suppression of pyritic sulfur in fine coal simulated froth flotation treated with bacteria was identified. Protein was found to be the most effective agent in pyrite suppression of the three cell components (protein, lipid, and carbohydrate) assayed. Coal recovery and ash removal of the flotation process were only slightly reduced by this treatment. Other protein‐containing materials were evaluated for their ability to suppress pyrite flotation. Whey was found to be the most cost‐effective flotation additive of those assayed. The sulfur content of the whey‐treated float was reduced by 84.0% in a synthetically prepared fractionated coal (10.7% sulfur), by a raw whey dosage of 20 μL/g coal. The inorganic sulfur component of a natural high sulfur coal fraction (10.9%) was completely depressed by this whey addition. The effect of particle size and pulp density upon the process were investigated.