Research on mechanism of enhanced desulfurizing flotation of high sulfur coal with electrolytic reduction

Pretreatment of high sulfur coal by electrolytic reduction reduces the number of oxygen-functional groups on the coal surface and improves coal hydrophobicity, and reduces the initial oxidation products on the pyrite surface (e.g. polysulfide, free sulfur, etc.) increasing pyrite hydrophilicity. This improves the selectivity of the subsequent flotation process. The results indicate that the electrolytic reduction can significantly decrease the content of pyrite sulphur in the floatation concentrate. Using this method, 89% of pyrite in the Beisu coal could be rejected while only 54.5% of pyrite sulfur was rejected without the treatment.