Studying the influence of cationized pyrolysis oil on the flotation of a bituminous coal using historical data design

This investigation assessed the influence of a cationized pyrolysis oil (PO) produced by the pyrolysis of used car tires on coal flotation using an extended Historical Data (HD) design. The effect of operating factors, including pulp solid content, diesel oil, pine oil, and pyrolysis oil dosages, was examined using experimental and statistical analyses. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurement showed that PO contains hydrocarbons and their oxides (alkane, ester, or carboxylic acid). Statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that concentrate ash content is influenced by solid content and pyrolysis oil concentration through a non-linear trend such that maximum ash removal may be obtained at the middle level of solid content and in the absence of PO. The solid content and diesel oil had a significant impact on process yield. Maximum yield was achieved at the low and middle levels of solid content and collector dosage, respectively. A comparison of individual and interaction effects of significant operating variables showed their complicated effects on process responses. Overall, the PO affected the coal flotation efficiency adversely, which can be due to the interaction between hydrophilic groups in the PO structure and the oxide nature of non-combustible materials in coal particles.

Automated summary

This investigation analyzed the impact of cationized pyrolysis oil from used car tires on coal flotation. The study found that the presence of pyrolysis oil had a negative effect on coal flotation efficiency. Factors such as solid content and diesel oil concentration significantly influenced the process yield. The interaction between the structure of the pyrolysis oil and the oxide nature of non-combustible materials in coal particles also played a role in the flotation efficiency.