Investigation of the cleanability of asphaltite by flotation

Highlights: • The cleanability of asphaltite coal was investigated by the flotation enrichment test. Kerosene, fuel oil and aerophine3418A reagents were used in the experiment. • The best ash results were obtained by adding 0.5ml kerosene reagent. Accordingly, the ash content was reduced from 46.08% to 30.80% for between 0-30 seconds. • When the sulfur ratio is examined, the best result; it was provided by addition of 1 ml of fuel reagent. The total sulfur content was reduced from 6.46% to 5.71% for between 0-30 seconds. Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey/Sirnak asphaltites centers are located in and around large reserves in coal mines. Due to the high ash and sulfur content of asphaltite coal, it is important to use it by cleaning with enrichment methods, in terms of solving environmental problems and increasing energy quality. In this study; the main characteristics (chemical analysis, ICP-OES, XRD, SEM analysis) of the asphaltite samples taken from the Avgamasya quarry operating in the center of Sirnak province were determined after the crushing and grinding processes. Later, the asphaltite coal sample was subjected to the flotation enrichment method, which is widely used in fine particle size coal enrichment methods. In the flotation method, the effects of kerosene, fuel oil, and aerophine3418A reagents in different amounts were investigated. Accordingly, the best ash results in the A1(50 g/t kerosene + 0.1 g/t MIBC) experiment; were obtained by adding 50 g/t kerosene reagent and the ash content was determined as 30.80% with an ash content reduction from 46.08% to 33.16%. Best result for reducing the sulfur ratio; in the B2(100 g/t fuel oil + 0.1 g/t MIBC) experiment, it was determined by the addition of 100 g/t fuel oil reagent. Here, the total sulfur content was reduced from 6.46% to 5.71% with a sulfur content reduction of 11.61%.