Novel evaluation index for assessing the flotation performance of oily collectors in coal processing.

Collectors are essential in flotation, and evaluating their performance is key for optimizing production and guiding collector development. However, existing evaluation systems, such as the conventional flotation improvement index, have limitations in accuracy and applicability. To address these shortcomings, a new flotation index (FI) has been developed. This index considers two primary performance factors: collecting ability and selectivity. First, the natural floatability of coal slime is defined using flotation indices (${R_{nj}}$Rnj, ${A_{nj}}$Anj, ${R_{nw}}$Rnw, ${A_{nw}}$Anw) without collectors. The actual recovery rate is then calculated as the difference between clean coal yield with and without collectors, providing a more accurate assessment of the collector’s performance. The disparity in ash content between clean coal and tailings further improves the precision of selectivity measurements. By integrating collecting ability (R) and selectivity (A), the FI is derived and normalized to a range of 0 to 1. This allows for an easier comparison of collector performance across various flotation systems. The FI provides a more comprehensive and practical evaluation, with its standardized and dimensionless design enhancing its applicability across different types of coal slime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]