A study of the effect of operating parameters in column flotation using experimental design

The effect of air flow rate, pulp density and particle size was studied using central composite design for coal samples from the Lazy mine. Evaluation of column flotation tests was based on two dependant variables such as ash content and combustible matter recovery in the concentrate. The ash content in the concentrate was from 4.61 to 9.62% with the recovery of combustible matter from 17.43 to 81.98%. The ANOVA statistical analysis showed that the main effect of air flow rate has a significant impact on the combustible matter recovery and ash content in the concentrate. The main effect of pulp density on the combustible matter recovery is significant, whereas for the ash content it is not seen. There is a strong effect of the particle size on the ash content and combustible matter recovery in the concentrate. The interaction of the effect of the pulp density and particle size has a significant impact on the ash content in the concentrate.