A preliminary assessment of coal slurry pH and coal flotation as parameters of weathering in Western Canadian coals
CIM Bulletin, Vol. 74, No. 830, 1981
D.L MARCHIONI (at time of writing with), Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology Calgary, Alberta
The detection and quantification of the degree of weathering is an important aspect of coal exploration and mining. Tests for weathering which are suitable for the exploration camp should be fast, simple, and require minimal equipment and operator expertise. In this study, two tests which fulfill these requirements were evaluated using samples of Western Canadian coals. These tests, one based on the pH of a coal slurry and the other on the flotation of coal in a water/diesel oil mixture, do not appear to give consistent results and are not recommended as ideal weathering parameters.
