LAUSR

Abstract Froth stability is one of the most important factors in fine coal flotation as it significantly affects the separation efficiency. Diesel is always used as the flotation collector while the effect of diesel on the froth stability is less investigated. In this study, effect of diesel on the froth stability and its antifoam mechanism in fine coal flotation used MIBC as the frother was investigated. Three-phase and two-phase froth stability tests were first carried out and the negative effect of diesel on froth stability was further explained by the single foam film drainage and spreading pressure experiments. The results of the three-phase dynamic froth stability showed that the maximum froth height and half-life of froth first increased and then decreased with the increase in diesel concentration. When diesel concentration increased to 8 kg/t, the maximum froth height and half-life of froth increased to 7.7 cm and 19 s. Deforming effect was observed when further increasing diesel dosage. Two-phase froth stability tests showed that the foaming ability and foam stability gradually decreased as the diesel concentration increased. When the diesel concentration increased from 0 to 20 and 40 ppm, the foam half-life decreased from 19 to 2.84 and 1.42 s, respectively. Single foam drainage tests showed that the diesel droplets dispersed into the middle of the foam film resulting in the formation of oil-bridge and rupture of the foam film. Meanwhile, the oil-film spreading pressure was found increased as the diesel concentration increased, directly indicating the antifoam effect of diesel. MIBC molecules were competitively adsorbed at diesel droplets, which reduced the effective concentration of the frother at the gas-water interface. Throughout this study, a certain defoaming effect of diesel on the froth stability in coal flotation was identified.