Interfacial mechanism of asymmetric Gemini surfactant in synergy with kerosene for enhancing low-rank coal flotation
Date
2025
Authors
Wang, X.
Cui, X.
Ding, R.
Cheng, G.
Qin, Y.
Abaka Wood, G.
Gao, G.
Li, E.
Cheng, F.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2025; 722(137267):1-10
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
The depletion of high-quality coal resources has led to the increasing prominence of low-rank coal (LRC) in the energy sector. Flotation based on gas/liquid/solid interfacial interaction remains an effective way to recovery of combustible matter and achieve clean utilization of LRC. Addressing the low efficiency and high consumption of traditional hydrocarbon oils (such as kerosene) in LRC flotation has been a major focus of researchers. In this work, the performance and interfacial mechanism of asymmetric Gemini surfactant in synergy with kerosene for enhancing LRC flotation were investigated. The flotation results showed that among the three Gemini surfactants, ethylene-based [(octyl dimethyl/tetradecyl dimethyl) chloride ammonium] (G8–14) exhibited the best synergistic effect. Optimization of the synergistic flotation process of G8–14 and kerosene for LRC was performed with response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design. A quadratic model was generated for predicting the combustible matter recovery, and it was also used to optimize the flotation conditions. The optimum conditions were determined and included G8–14 concentration of 91.11 mg/L, pH of 8.38, and pulp density of 80.38 g/L. Under optimum conditions, the combustible matter recovery reached 78.72 %. The hydrophobicity and zeta potential of LRC surface were obviously enhanced, and it made kerosene easier to spread and adsorb on LRC surface after treatment by G8–14. The ‘bridging action’ of G8–14 molecule between the negatively charged sites at LRC surface and kerosene was confirmed as the major mechanism for the enhancement of their interfacial interaction. This study provides new technical supports and theoretical insights for the clean and efficient utilization of LRC.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Data source: supplementary material, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.137267
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.