IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF FLOTATION OF FINELY DISPERSED SLUDGES AT A COAL WASHERY.

An analysis of the operation of the flotation section of a plant showed that there may be a significant reserve from improving the efficiency of the process by decreasing the losses of coal due to an increase in the ash of the flotation tailings. In view of this, the authors investigated the flotation process. On the basis of laboratory investigations they developed, tested, and adopted a flotation scheme involving treatment of high-density slurry, as well as separate flotation of the sludges of the pyramidal sedimenters and the filtrate. As may be seen from the results, the adoption of the new scheme and flotation regime permitted a significant increase in the ash of the tailings. There was an improvement in the general operating indices of the flotation section.