Insights into the adsorption performance and mechanism of hydrated Ca ion on talc (0 0 1) basal surface from DFT calculation

The utilization of Ca ion as assistant depressant of CMC on talc has been widely reported. Thus, the study on the adsorption mechanism of Ca ion on talc surface is very crucial for understanding the performance of CMC on talc depression. In this paper, mechanism insights into hydrated Ca ion adsorption on talc (0 0 1) basal surface were creatively provided using DFT calculation. [Ca(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and [Ca(OH)(H₂O)₃]⁺ were determined as the effective hydrate components for Ca ion adsorption, and the top O site was the most favorable position for their adsorptions on talc surface. Furthermore, the adsorption mechanisms of [Ca(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and [Ca(OH)(H₂O)₃]⁺ on talc surface were found to be not the Ca—O chemical bond, but the hydrogen bonding formed by the H atom of the H₂O ligand and the surface O atom. H₂O acted like a bridge to connect them to the talc surface. Moreover, the hydrogen bonding was formed due to the hybridization of H 1s orbital with the O 2s, O 2p orbitals. Simultaneously, electrons transferred between the H atom and the surface O atom. This work provides theoretical insights into the Ca ion adsorption on talc surface, which can help deeply understand the talc flotation using CMC as depression.     

Experimental and MD simulation of 3-dodecyloxypropanamine and 3-tetradecyloxypropylamine adsorbed onto quartz (1 0 1) surface

In this paper, two surfactants, 3-dodecyloxypropanamine (DOPA) and 3-tetradecyloxypropylamine (TOPA), were synthesized and used as collectors in the quartz micro-flotation in the laboratory. Micro-flotation tests, FT-IR, XPS measurements, and ab initio Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to research DOPA, TOPA, and dodecylamine (DDA)'s adsorption mechanisms onto quartz (1 0 1) surfaces. The results of micro-flotation show that the adsorption of DOPA and TOPA onto quartz surface is more robust than that of DDA. The zeta-potential result shows that the DOPA/TOPA was adsorbed on quartz through electrostatic attraction. Then, MD simulation adsorption models were built to compare the computational properties of the three surfactants, such as the radial distribution function, and the interaction energies between the collectors and the quartz cleavage surface. The interaction energies of surfactants (RNH₃⁺ or RNH₂) on the quartz surface explained why the pH range of DOPA/TOPA is wider than that of DDA. XPS analyses and MD simulations confirmed that DOPA bonded with the (1 0 1) surface of quartz through three types of hydrogen bonds between the NH₂ of DOPA and the O atom of quartz. The hydrogen bonds of type A and type C were the most likely type and more potent than those of type B.     

Fractal dimension of coal particles and their CH4 adsorption

We describe the fractal analysis of three differently sized coal samples (0.350–0.833 mm, 0.245–0.350 mm, and 0.198–0.245 mm). The influence of fractal dimension on CH₄ adsorption capacity is investigated. The physical parameters of the samples were determined via the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory. A CH₄ adsorption study over the pressures range from 0 to 5 MPa was carried out with a new volumetric measurement system. The CH₄ adsorption was measured using the differently sized coal. Two fractal dimensions, D₁ and D₂ were determined over the pressure ranges from 0 to 0.5 MPa and from 0.5 to 1 MPa, using the Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) method. We conclude that the two fractal dimensions correlate with the CH₄ adsorption capacity of the coal: increasing CH₄ adsorption capacity occurs with a corresponding increase in fractal dimension. Furthermore, D₁ and D₂ are positively correlated with surface area, pore volume, and samples size. The size distribution of the samples has fractal characteristics.     

Surface magnetization of siderite mineral

Surface self-magnetization of siderite is achieved by generating ferromagnetic substance on the surface of siderite by adjusting slurry temperature, pH value, stirring rate and reaction time. No addition of any iron-containing reagent is required. The temperature of 60 °C, NaOH concentration of 0.10 mol/L; stirring rate of 900 r/min and the reaction time of 10 min are the optimal conditions. The results show that the siderite recovery in magnetic separation increased from 26.9% to 88.8% after surface magnetization. Magnetization kinetic equation is expressed as 1 ? [1 ? (? ? 0.269)]^1/3 = Kt. Activation energy for the magnetization reaction is 4.30 kJ/mol. VSM, SEM and XPS were used to characterize the siderite, and results show that the saturated magnetization (σ_s) of siderite increased from 0.652 to 2.569 A m²/kg, the magnetic hysteresis was detected with a coercive force of 0.976 A/m after magnetization; Fe2P3/2 electron binding energy changed which reflects the valence alteration in iron on the surface and the formation of ferromagnetic Fe₃O₄.     

Surface properties of activated carbon from different raw materials

Activated carbons (ACs) with different surface properties were prepared from different raw materials. N₂ adsorption, pH value, Boehm titration, Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and FTIR were employed to characterize the pore structure and surface chemical properties of the ACs. The results show that AC from bituminous coal (AC-B) has more meso-pores, higher pH value, more carboxylic groups and basic site than ACs from coconut shell and hawthorn(AC-C, AC-H). Oxygen in the mixture gas has great effect on SO₂ catalytic oxidation/oxidation ability of AC-B. In the absence of oxygen, the adsorbed SO₂ on AC-B is 0.16 mmol/g and the conversion ratio of adsorbed SO₂ to SO₃ is 22.07%; while in the presence of oxygen, the adsorbed amount of SO₂ is 0.42 mmol/g, and all of the adsorbed SO₂ was totally converted to SO₃. This feature of AC-B is consistent with its higher pH value, basic site and the reaction ability with H₂ from TPR. The conversion ratios of SO₂ absorbed on both AC-C and AC-H were 100%, respectively.     

Leaching kinetics in cyanide media of Ag contained in the industrial mining-metallurgical wastes in the state of Hidalgo,Mexico

The leaching kinetics in cyanide media of the silver contained in the Dos Carlos waste tailings at the City of Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo State, Mexico were carried out. The used material contained the following chemical composition: 56 × 10^-6 of Ag, 0.6 × 10⁻⁶ of Au and 70.43% (by weight) of SiO₂; 7.032% (by weight) of Al₂O₃; 2.69% (by weight) of Fe; 0.46% (by weight) of Mn; 3.98% (by weight) of K₂O; 3.34% (by weight) of CaO; 2.50% (by weight) of Na₂O; 0.04% (by weight) of Zn; 0.026% (by weight) of Pb. The mineralogical phases present were the following: Silica, albite, argentite, berlinite, orthoclase, potassium jarosite, and natrojarosite. In the leaching kinetics in cyanide media, and under the studied conditions, the effect of the CN⁻ concentration on the reaction rate has no effect on the whole process of alkaline cyanidation, of which the reaction order is n ≈ 0. Temperature has an effect on the cyanidation rate of the reaction, with an activation energy of 47.9 KJ/mol. At the same time, when the particle size decreases there is an increase in the reaction rate, which is inversely proportional to the particle diameter; when increasing the NaOH concentration there is an increase in the reaction rate K_exp, with a reaction order (n) of 0.215 under the studied ranges.     

Theoretical study of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivatives as chelating collectors in flotation separation of galena and pyrite

Three 2-mercaptobenzimidazole derivatives, 1-ethyl-2-mercapto-benzimidazole (EMBI), 1-propyl-2-mercapto-benzimidazole (PMBI) and 1-benze-2-mercapto-benzimidazole (BMBI), were designed and synthesized in the paper, and their collecting behavior in flotation separation process of galena over pyrite was investigated by flotation tests on lab scale. Apart from this, density functional theory (DFT) calculation and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were also used to elucidate their collecting mechanism. Results of flotation tests indicate that separation of galena over pyrite is feasible at pH 10, and BMBI has the best floatability among three collectors. DFT calculations show that BMBI has the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy and strongest collecting efficiency. The adsorption mode of three collectors on mineral surface by MD method indicates that the combination processes of collectors with mineral are exothermic, and the higher the binding energy, the firmer the collector adsorbs on the mineral surface and the higher collecting capacity. The calculation results demonstrate that the floatability of three collectors follows the order: BMBI > PMBI > EMBI, which is highly consistent with the flotation tests.     

Microscale insights into the influence of grinding media on spodumene micro-flotation using mixed anionic/cationic collectors

Here, the influence of grinding media with different shapes on the flotation performance of spodumene and its potential mechanism from microscale insights was investigated using a single mineral flotation experiment, X-ray diffraction (XRD) test, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The flotation data indicated that under anionic/cationic (sodium oleate (NaOL)/DDA) collectors system, the rod milled spodumene has a higher floatability than ball milled ones. XRD results confirmed that rod medium makes spodumene exposed more {1 1 0} and {1 0 0} planes, while ball medium makes spodumene exposed more {0 1 0} planes. The typical anisotropic surface of spodumene makes the surface of rod milled spodumene possess more Al sites, further confirmed by SEM-EDS and XPS results. Additionally, it was found that the rod milled spodumene presents a larger value of elongation and flatness, which are parameters closely related to bubble adhesion. AFM analysis indicated that rod milled products have a rougher surface, while ball milled products have a smoother surface. Consequently, the rod medium enhanced the adsorption of NaOL/DDA on the spodumene surfaces. This work provides theoretical guidance for optimizing the separation of spodumene from the perspective of grinding.     

Pore structure characteristics of the relative water-resisting layer on the top of the Ordovician in Longgu Coal Mine

In order to study the permeability and water-resisting ability of the strata on the top of the Ordovician in Longgu Coal Mine, this paper tested the permeability and porosity of the strata, investigated the fracture and pore structure features of the strata, and identified the main channels which govern the permeability and water-resisting ability of the strata. The permeability of the upper, central and lower strata shows as 2.0504 × 10⁻³–2.782762 × 10⁻³, 4.1092 × 10⁻³–7.3387 × 10⁻³ and 2.0891 × 10⁻³–3.2705 × 10⁻³ μm², respectively, and porosity of that is 0.6786–0.9197%, 0.3109–0.3951% and 0.9829–1.8655%, respectively. The results indicate that: (1) the main channels of the relative water-resisting layer are the pore throats with a diameter more than 6 μm; (2) the major proportion of pore throats in the vertical flow channel and the permeability first increases and then sharply decreases; (3) the fractures occurring from the top to 20 m in depth of the strata were filled and there occurred almost no fracture under the depth of 40 m; and (4) the ratio of turning point of the main flow channel in the strata on top of Ordovician can be used to confirm the thickness of filled water-resisting layers.     

Effects of different factors during the de-silication of diaspore by direct flotation

Most of the bauxite resources in China are kaolinite-diaspore bauxite of middle to low grade, with a fine dissemination, and are difficultly separated. Direct flotation de-silication has been shown to be an effective method for de-silication of diaspore. In this study the effect of different factors, including pulp temperature, density, pH value, depressant, and collector dosage, on direct flotation of diaspore were investigated by laboratory experiments. The optimum conditions were identified and the flotation performance was improved. The results show that under optimum conditions (a pulp temperature around 40 °C, a pulp density from 30% to 33%, a pH value from 9.0 to 10.0, an air flow rate of 0.5 m³/(m² min), a dispersant level from 35 to 70 g/t, and a collector level around 1000 g/t) an Al/Si ratio of 6.97 is obtained starting from an initial Al/Si ratio of about 4.71. The recovery of Al₂O₃ under these conditions was 86.94%.     

Effect of galvanic contact on the flotability of galena in the presence and absence of a collector

In this paper, the effect of various electrochemical environments in the galena flotation is investigated. The electrochemical environments consisted of a ball mill for grinding of galena ore and a Denver flotation cell for flotation of galena in the laboratory scale. In order to achieve the maximum recovery with sodium hyposulfite, the concentrations of 0.06 and 0.12 M of air and nitrogen gases have been used to control the pulp potential in the Denver flotation cell. The galena sample was from the “Era mine” which is located in the Kiyasar area, north of Iran. This mine contains: Galena (PbS) at least 22%, Fluorite (CaF₂) 73.37%, Quartz (SiO₂) 2.54% and other minerals such as Cerussite (PbCO₃) and Kaolinite (Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄). Flotation of Galena was conducted in a 0.12 M of sodium hyposulfite solution. It was found that the amount of recovery by this process was 85% and 63% in the presence and absence of potassium amyl xanthate (KAX) and at an estimated potential of 280 to 350 mV respectively while the recovery was 70% and 52% at an approximate potential of 175 to 210 mV in water in the presence and absence of collector (KAX).     

Methane adsorption behavior on coal having different pore structures

The adsorption of methane onto five dry coal samples was measured at 298 K over the pressure range from 0 to 3.5 MPa using a volumetric method. The isotherm data were fitted to the Langmuir and the Freundlich equations. The kinetic data were fitted to a pseudo second order equation, the linear driving force equation (LDF), and an intra-particle diffusion model. These results showed that higher methane adsorption is correlated with larger micro-pore volumes and specific surface areas. The adsorption was related to the narrow micro-pore size distribution when the previous two parameters are large. The kinetics study showed that the kinetics of methane adsorption onto these five dry coal samples followed a pseudo second order model very well. Methane adsorption rates are controlled by intra-particle diffusion. The faster the intra-particle diffusion, the faster the methane adsorption rate will be.     

Deformed coal types and pore characteristics in Hancheng coalmines in Eastern Weibei coalfields

Based on SEM observance, the methods of low-temperature nitrogen and isothermal adsorption were used to test and analyze the coal samples of Hancheng, and pore structure characteristics of tectonic coals were discussed. The results indicate that in the same coal rank, stratification and crack are well developed in cataclastic coal, which is mostly filled by mineral substance in the geohydrologic element abundance, results in pore connectivity variation. Granulated and mylonitic coal being of these characteristics, as develop microstructures and exogenous fractures as well as large quantity of pores resulted from gas generation and strong impermeability, stimulate the recovery of seepage coal, improve coal connectivity and enhance reservoir permeability. Absorption pore (micro-pore) is dominant in coal pore for different coal body structure, the percentage of which pore aperture is from 1 to 100 nm is 71.44% to 88.15%, including large of micro-pore with the 74.56%–94.70%; with the deformation becoming more intense in the same coal rank, mesopore enlarge further, open-end pores become thin-neck-bottle-shaped pores step by step, specific surface area of micro-pore for cataclastic coal is 0.0027 m²/g, while mylonitic coal increases to 7.479 m²/g, micro-pore gradually play a dominant role in effecting pore structural parameters.     

Removal and utilization of calcite existed in scheelite by preparation of calcium sulfate whiskers

In order to eliminate the effect of calcite associated with scheelite on the scheelite flotation, hydrochloric acid was used to dissolve the calcite, and the soaking solution was used to prepare CaSO_4 whiskers by hydrothermal reaction with sulfuric acid at ambient pressure. First, the condition experiments of preparing CaSO_4 whiskers by using CaCl_2 and H_2SO_4 were carried out to optimize reaction parameters of the crystallization process. The optimal conditions were: at 102 ℃ reaction temperature, 0,5 mol/L reactant concentration and 60 min reaction time. Then based on the condition experiments and considering keeping acid concentration stable for achieving HCl recycling, Calcium sulfate whiskers with the average diameter of 1.41 μm and the average aspect ratio of 109 were prepared by the soaking solution after evaporating to half of its volume and 1.0 mol/L H_2SO_4 at 102 ℃ for 60 min: After ion exchange processing,the filtrate could be used as HCl in the process of HCl dissolution.     

Time evolution of coal structure during low temperature air oxidation

The time evolution of coal structure during low temperature oxidation was investigated by oxidizing coal samples in air at 120 °C for periods of up to 14 days. The structure of the oxidized coal samples was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and curve fitting analysis. The results show that carboxyl and ether groups are the main oxygen containing moieties in oxidized coal. Ethers are most abundant during the first 3 days of oxidation, thereafter carboxyl groups predominate. The content of carboxyl and ester functionality increases with oxidation time. The other oxygen containing groups vary in concentration over time. The amount of hydroxyl groups first decreases then increases and finally decrease again during the oxidation. The aliphatic structure and the degree of branching of the aliphatic chains is reduced as the oxidation proceeds. The proportion of aromatic structure increases with oxidation time. Obvious decomposition of aromatic rings occurs after about 9 days of oxidation. The aryl ester bands and the CH₃/CH₂ ratio both have a good linear relationship to oxidation time.     

Discontinuities effect on drilling condition and performance of selected rocks in Nigeria

The study examined joint discontinuity spacing effect on drilling condition and performance in selected rocks in Ilorin and Ibese areas, Nigeria. Five samples for each rock type (gneiss and limestone) were tested in the laboratory for chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Dip direction and joint spacing were measured using compass clinometers. The chemical composition was determined using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. The results show that gneiss has SiO₂ of 61.88% and limestone has CaO content of 52.3%. The average dry density of gneiss and limestone are 2.6 and 2.39 g/cm³, respectively. The uniaxial compressive strength of gneiss and limestone are 195 and 93.83 MPa, respectively. These rocks are classified as strong and moderately strong rock. Gneiss and limestone have mean joint discontinuity spacing of 0.79 and 0.25 m, which classified them as moderate and wide joint spacing respectively. Joint spacing was correlated with specific energy, bit wear and uniaxial compressive using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The regression model has multiple coefficient of correlation of R² = 0.791 and R² = 0.995 for gneiss and limestone, respectively. The variation in joint spacing could be attributed to specific energy, bit wear and uniaxial compressive strength which affect drilling condition and performance. Ultimately, as joint spacing gets closer, the drilling velocity increases, drill string will be stable.     

Identification of large-scale goaf instability in underground mine using particle swarm optimization and support vector machine

An approach which combines particle swarm optimization and support vector machine (PSO–SVM) is proposed to forecast large-scale goaf instability (LSGI). Firstly, influencing factors of goaf safety are analyzed, and following parameters were selected as evaluation indexes in the LSGI: uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of rock, elastic modulus (E) of rock, rock quality designation (RQD), area ration of pillar (S_p), the ratio of width to height of the pillar (w/h), depth of ore body (H), volume of goaf (V), dip of ore body (α) and area of goaf (S_g). Then LSGI forecasting model by PSO-SVM was established according to the influencing factors. The performance of hybrid model (PSO + SVM = PSO–SVM) has been compared with the grid search method of support vector machine (GSM–SVM) model. The actual data of 40 goafs are applied to research the forecasting ability of the proposed method, and two cases of underground mine are also validated by the proposed model. The results indicated that the heuristic algorithm of PSO can speed up the SVM parameter optimization search, and the predictive ability of the PSO–SVM model with the RBF kernel function is acceptable and robust, which might hold a high potential to become a useful tool in goaf risky prediction research.     

Deformation mechanism of roadways in deep soft rock at Hegang Xing’an Coal Mine

Engineering geomechanics characteristics of roadways in deep soft rock at Hegang Xing’an Coal Mine were studied and the nature of clay minerals of roadway surrounding rock was analyzed. This paper is to solve the technical problems of high stress and the difficulty in supporting the coal mine, and provide a rule for the support design. Results show that mechanical deformation mechanisms of deep soft rock roadway at Xing’an Coal Mine is of I_ABII_ABCIII_ABCD type, consisting of molecular water absorption (the I_AB-type), the tectonic stress type + gravity deformation type + hydraulic type (the II_ABC-type), and the III_ABCD-type with fault, weak intercalation and bedding formation. According to the compound mechanical deformation mechanisms, the corresponding mechanical control measures and conversion technologies were proposed, and these technologies have been successfully applied in roadway supporting practice in deep soft rock at Xing’an Coal Mine with good effect. Xing’an Coal Mine has the deepest burial depth in China, with its overburden ranging from Mesozoic Jurassic coal-forming to now. The results of the research can be used as guidance in the design of roadway support in soft rock.     

Preconcentration of rare earth elements from Iranian monazite ore by spiral separator using multi-response optimization method

The present work dealt with the preconcentration of rare earth elements in Saghand ore (Yazd province, Iran) which was achieved by Humphrey spiral using orthogonal optimization method after scrubbing the sample at 45% solid pulp density for 30 min. The pulp was diluted and was fed to a Humphrey spiral for upgrading. The process parameters considered were feed size, feed solids and feed rate, and Taguchi’s L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal array (OA) was selected for optimization of the process. The results show that the feed rate and feed size were more significant than the other operation parameters of the process. It was also found that under optimal conditions, the concentrate grade of rare earth elements increased from 2860 × 10⁻⁶ to 6050 × 10⁻⁶ and recovery reached to 58%.     

Reservoir characteristics of Donghe well No.1 in Tarim Basin

Based on the techniques of X-ray diffraction analysis, identification of the thin sections of core cast, physical analysis and scanning electron microscopy analysis, this paper studied the reservoir characteristics of the Carboniferous strata in Donghe well No.1 of Tarim region. The results show that the reservoir lithology is mainly the fine-grained quartz sandstone with ferrocalcite and pyrite, mud cement-based, the permeability concentrated in 5–40 × 10–3 μm², a small part of the high permeability up to 150–327 × 10⁻³ μm² and porosity ranged from 10% to 20%. The most part of the reservoirs is low permeability with a small part of the layer in moderate-high permeability. The types of reservoir space include intergranular pores, intra particle-molding pores, micro-pores and cracks, which mainly are intergranular pores with the pore diameter of 15–200 μm, 95.5 μm on average. And the types of the throats are complex with the main type of constricted throats in this area and large contribution to the permeability.