To explore the occurrence and distribution characteristics
of fine-grained
pyrites in coal and the effect of pyrite particle size on flotation
efficiency, coal samples from Guizhou province and Shanxi province,
China, were selected for pyrite morphology observation and sulfur
content test before and after flotation desulfurization experiments
with different coal particle sizes. Experimental results showed that
the fine-grained fine pyrites in coal have various occurrence forms
and complex connections with the coal matrix. The fragmentation process
can change the distribution of pyrite content in coal. Flotation desulfurization
experiments showed that the sum of pyrite content in the cleaned coal
and middlings gradually became significantly higher in coal particles
with size 15–37 μm compared with particle sizes 37–44
and 44–75 μm. The complex occurrence morphology and crystal
structure of fine-grained pyrite make it difficult to be removed from
the coal matrix by ore grinding during flotation. Fine-grained pyrite
mainly occurs in the form of framboïdal pyrite, disseminated
pyrite, and monomer pyrite with a size of 0.69–33.94 μm
in the middlings and cleaned coal. Therefore, 37 μm is considered
as the critical dimension for ore grinding to improve the effective
flotation desulphurization efficiency in this study, and some more
effective methods should be used to increase the desulfurization efficiency
of fine-grained pyrite.