Coal desulfurization by flotation method

In general, the combustion of coal containing high sulfur and ash causes negative environmental problems such as acid rain and the emission of oxides of sulfur. Coal flotation is one of the most effective methods for desulfurizing and deashing raw coal with high ash and sulfur contents before burning coal. In this study, a coal sample collected from East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia was subjected to flotation by using diesel oil as collector and pine oil as frother. The experimental results showed that 24% of the total sulfur was eliminated from coal. Also, the calorific value of coal increased from 5,486 cal/g to 5,535.38 cal/g. However, the volatile matter and ash content of coal was eliminated.