Effect of ultrasound on the true flotation of lignite and its entrainment behavior

In this study, the ultrasound was fixed in the pulp zone of flotation cell and its effect on the true flotation of lignite was analyzed. Flotation results indicated that the simultaneous ultrasound treatment increased the concentrate yield and decreased the concentrate ash content. Screening analysis of flotation products revealed that the ultrasound could crush coarse coal to fine coal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests indicated that the ultrasound could reduce the coverage of high-ash coal fines on the coarse particle surface. Thus, the flotation recovery of coarse lignite particle was increased. In addition, the true flotation and entrainment of −0.074 mm fine particles were studied by the sink-float test and the method of Trahar. It was found the ultrasound significantly enhanced the true flotation of fine particles and improved the overall water recovery in lignite flotation