Sulfur Varieties in Illinois Coals. Float-Sink Tests.

摘要

The primary aim was to study the washability characteristics of Illinois coals,with particular emphasis on the quantity,distribution,and varieties (forms) of sulfur. A basis for evaluating how much pyritic sulfur could be removed by conventional preparation techniques,and a basis for evaluating the pyritic and total sulfur contents of coal mine refuse were also sought. A secondary object was a comprehensive study of other chemical and physical properties,including mineral matter other than sulfur compounds,trace elements,coal petrography,and palynology. The coals sampled and tested indicated that only a few could be prepared with a practical percentage of recovery and 1.5percent or less total sulfur. Only about a fourth of those tested had an 80percent float recovery and 2.5percent or less total sulfur. The float coal fractions usually had less sulfur in the smaller coal sizes,but the differences were not great enough to make fine grinding a practical means of sulfur reduction. The maximum sulfur in the 1.60specific gravity sink fraction for the 40coal samples tested was 26percent. These sink products indicate that the mine refuse from some Illinois mines is a potential source of sulfur. (Author)