Aqueour biphase extraction for processing of fine coal

Ever-stringent environmental constraints dictate that future coal cleaning technologies be compatible with micron-size particles. For super-clean coal production, the degree of liberation needed to separate coal from mineral matter, including pyrite, requires grinding to 10 mm or below. In addition, large amounts of fine coal are discharged to refuse ponds because current coal cleaning technology cannot adequately treat such finely divided materials. This research program seeks to develop an advanced coal cleaning technology uniquely suited to micron-size particles, i.e., aqueous biphase extraction. This technique relies on the ability of an aqueous system consisting of a water-soluble organic polymer and an inorganic metal salt to separate into two immiscible aqueous phases. Differences in the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of particulates can then be exploited to effect selective transfers to either the upper polymer-rich phase, or the lower salt-rich phase. An experimental program is proposed involving phase diagram determination, phase separation rate measurements, partition measurements, and washing experiments

Sulfonate Adsorption and Wetting Behavior at Solid-Water Interfaces

The electrophoretic mobilities of silver iodide sol particles have been measured as a function of pAg in the presence of var,ious concentrations of C5, C8, C10, C12 and C14 sodium alkyl sulfonates at constant ionic strength and temperature. Contact angles in the solid-air-solution system both in the absence and in the presence of the C14 sulfonate have also been determined. These results have been compared with previously reported work on the effect of alkyl sulfonates on the electrokinetic and wetting behavior of alumina. Application of the Stern-Grahame model of the electrical double layer allows delineation of the various mechanisms contributing to the adsorption phenomena. In the case of the aluminasulfonate system the adsorption process is purely physical, viz. electrostatic and hydrocarbon chain-chain interactions, while for the AgI-sulfonate system both physical and chemical processes are involved, viz. electrostatic, hydrocarbon chain-solid, chain-chain, and solid-polar head interactions

Semiconductor electrochemistry of coal pyrite

This project seeks to advance the fundamental understanding of the physics-chemical processes occurring at the pyrite/aqueous interface, in the context of coal cleaning, coal desulfurization, and acid minedrainage. A novel approach to the study of pyrite aqueous electrochemistry is proposed, based on the use of both synthetic and natural ( i.e. coal-derived) pyrite specimens, the utilization of.pyrite both in the form of micro (i.e. colloidal and subcolloidal) and macro (i.e. rotating ring disk) electrodes, and the application of in-situ direct electroanalytical and spectroelectrochemical characterization techniques. The kinetic study of the reaction between sulfide and ferrous ions in solution suggested that the black species formed initially is FeHS[sup +] intermediate. To farther confirm this mechanism, the experiments aimed at establishing the stoichiometry for the intermediate were carried out thermodynamically with a stopped-flow spectrophotometric technique. The results showed that the mole ratio of H[sup [minus]]/Fe[sup 2+] is 1 to 1 for the intermediate product, which is in good agreement with the kinetic results previously obtained. Furthermore, the equilibrium constant for the reaction Fe[sup 2+] + H[sup [minus]] = FeHS[sup +] was determined as K = 10[sup 4.34]. The forward rate constant is 10[sup 3.81](mol/l)[sup [minus]1]sec[sup [minus]1] and the backward rate constant is 10[sup [minus]0.53] (mol/l)[sup [minus]1] sec[sup [minus]1]

Semiconductor electrochemistry of coal pyrite. Technical progress report, October--December 1992

This project seeks to advance the fundamental understanding of the physics-chemical processes occurring at the pyrite/aqueous interface, in the context of coal cleaning, coal desulfurization, and acid minedrainage. A novel approach to the study of pyrite aqueous electrochemistry is proposed, based on the use of both synthetic and natural ( i.e. coal-derived) pyrite specimens, the utilization of.pyrite both in the form of micro (i.e. colloidal and subcolloidal) and macro (i.e. rotating ring disk) electrodes, and the application of in-situ direct electroanalytical and spectroelectrochemical characterization techniques. The kinetic study of the reaction between sulfide and ferrous ions in solution suggested that the black species formed initially is FeHS{sup +} intermediate. To farther confirm this mechanism, the experiments aimed at establishing the stoichiometry for the intermediate were carried out thermodynamically with a stopped-flow spectrophotometric technique. The results showed that the mole ratio of H{sup {minus}}/Fe{sup 2+} is 1 to 1 for the intermediate product, which is in good agreement with the kinetic results previously obtained. Furthermore, the equilibrium constant for the reaction Fe{sup 2+} + H{sup {minus}} = FeHS{sup +} was determined as K = 10{sup 4.34}. The forward rate constant is 10{sup 3.81}(mol/l){sup {minus}1}sec{sup {minus}1} and the backward rate constant is 10{sup {minus}0.53} (mol/l){sup {minus}1} sec{sup {minus}1}

Semiconductor electrochemistry of coal pyrite. Technical progress report, April--June 1992

Pyrite synthesis is of interest in many diverse fields, such as geology, fuel processing technology, chemistry, metallurgy, materials science, and so on. Based on fundamental studies of this process, the formation mechanisms of this important sulfide on the earth can be better understood. The studies can also help us to better understand the surface chemistry and electrochemistry of pyrite, thereby assisting in the development of more efficient processes for removal of the sulfide from coal. The work performed during this quarter focuses on the study of the reaction between aqueous sulfide ions and dissolved Fe(II) salts by using a stopped-flow spectrophotometric technique. At a wavelength of 500 mn, no absorption was observed with either aqueous sulfide or dissolved Fe(II) salt alone. However, when the two solutions were mixed, a strong absorbance appeared at the same wavelength. The absorbance-time curve showed that a black material formed at the first few seconds of the reaction, then this material decayed and changed gradually to a lighter dark material within the following several minutes. These processes were pH-dependent. It was more likely to form the black intermediate at the pH range from 7 to 8. This indicates that the reaction between Fe{sup 2+} and HS{sup {minus}} results in the formation of the black intermediate because in this pH range, both Fe{sup 2+} and HS{sup {minus}} are the predominant species. The absorbance varied linearly with the concentration of the reactant for the first step of the reaction. The absorptivity of the black intermediate was determined as 4800 l/mol/cm. By means of this spectrophotometric technique, the stoichiometry, the equilibrium constant and the rate constant of the reaction will be determined

Status report on solid control in leachates

Sludge pretreatment will involve some combination of washing and leaching with sodium hydroxide solutions to remove soluble salts and amphoteric material such as alumina. It is of paramount importance to prevent gelation and uncontrolled solid formation in tanks, transfer lines, and process equipment. An evaluation of results of washing and caustic leaching indicates that washing is more effective in dissolving sludge solids than subsequent sodium hydroxide treatment. Only aluminum and chromium were removed more effectively by caustic leaching than by water washing