Experimental prediction of the agglomeration capability of waste vegetable oils (WVO) in relation to the recovery of coal from coal fines cleaning wastes (CFCW)

6 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables.-- Available online Dec 28, 2006.Coal fines cleaning wastes (CFCW) were agglomerated with samples of a vegetable oil heated at 150 °C for 1–15 days. An agglomeration efficiency index (AEI) which variation depends on the oil agglomeration capability was calculated. Good linear correlations were attained between the AEI values and the viscosity, and the unsaturation degree of the oil monitored by FT–IR and 1H NMR. Based on the results achieved, the prediction of the agglomeration capability of the waste vegetable oils (WVO) from these properties in relation to the recovery of coal from coal fines cleaning wastes appears feasible.The financial support from DGICYT and EC (under project 1FD1997-0256) is gratefully acknowledged. A.F. Valdés thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education for a personal grant.Peer reviewe