A Comparative Study Between Froth Flotation And Gravity Separation Method To Recover Fossil Resins From Bukan Kwato Coal, Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Basu Martins, Aluwong Caleb, Aruku Farida, Fwangshak, Ebikemefa Ebimobowei Clinton

Background: Fossil resins are sticky plants secretions that harden on atmospheric exposure overtime, and has been found within coal and other sedimentary rocks. They are formed tens of millions of years ago through the diagenetic or catagenic transformations of plant exudates induced by various geochemical processes. The recovery of fossil resins from Bukan Kwato using froth flotation method and gravity separation method is the focus of this research.

Results: The two methods were then compared in order to see which has the highest recovery. The obtained samples were analyzed using sieve analysis. It was also analyzed using XRF analysis which reveals that the samples have 2.09% of carbon and 2.72% of sulphur from froth flotation method. It also has 2.08% of carbon and 2.41% of sulphur from gravity separation method.

Conclusively: it was observed that froth flotation method has the highest recovery and is more efficient.

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