Influence of bacteria–coal electrostatic interaction on coal cleaning

Bacteria have been studied in bioflotation and bioflocculation processes for impurity removal. Electrostatic forces are important for adsorption of bacteria onto mineral surfaces. In the present study, three strains of bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Mycobacterium phlei, are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of mineral processing 2014-01, Vol.126, p.30-34
Main Authors: El-Midany, A.A., Abdel-Khalek, M.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacillus subtilis
Bacteria
Bioseparation
Cleaning
Coal
Electrostatic interaction
Electrostatics
Flotation
Impurities
Mineral processing
Mycobacterium phlei
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Strain
Surface chemistry
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Summary:Bacteria have been studied in bioflotation and bioflocculation processes for impurity removal. Electrostatic forces are important for adsorption of bacteria onto mineral surfaces. In the present study, three strains of bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Mycobacterium phlei, are used to emphasize the importance of bacteria–coal electrostatic interaction on coal cleaning. They differ in their point of zero-charge (PZC). Flotation experiments were conducted using each bacterium individually to reduce coal impurities. Although promising results were observed for all studied bacteria, B. subtilis was the best. By correlating the PZC of coal particles as well as the bacteria, it was found that the superiority of B. subtilis is related to wider PZC difference between the coal and B. subtilis. The importance of electrostatic interaction and its effect on coal cleaning was studied using three types of bacteria differing in their zero point of charge (PZC). The flotation and adsorption results indicated that B. subtilis shows the highest adsorption affinity as well as produces the cleanest coal. The superiority of B. subtilis turns back to the higher difference in the electrostatic nature between B. subtilis and coal. [Display omitted] •Biomodification of the coal surface can increase its separation selectivity.•Used bacteria, differing in their PZC, highlight the electrostatic interaction.•Coal-bacteria electrostatic interaction is significant for coal cleaning.•The higher the difference in PZC between coal and bacteria, the cleaner the coal.
ISSN:0301-7516
1879-3525
DOI:10.1016/j.minpro.2013.11.008