A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF PLANT SEED OIL AS GREEN COLLECTOR FOR ENHANCED FLOTATION OF NON-COKING COAL

The shift toward sustainable industrial practices has led to a growing interest in bio-based reagents that reduce environmental impact. This study explores the application of oil extracted from custard apple (Annona squamosa) seeds, rich in fatty acids, as a green collector in non-coking coal flotation. The oil was obtained through solvent extraction using n-hexane and evaluated for its flotation efficiency. Using an optimized collector dosage of 12.75 kg/t and 1.33 kg/t of methyl isobutyl carbinol as frother, the process yielded a coal concentrate with 60.92% recovery, 11.16% ash content, and 54.53% fixed carbon. The gross calorific value of the cleaned coal surpassed 6700 kcal/kg, qualifying it as G2-grade coal, suitable for thermal power plants. These findings confirm the collector’s effectiveness in improving separation performance and product quality. The use of custard apple seed oil, a renewable and biodegradable resource, presents a promising eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based reagents. The work demonstrates a significant advancement in sustainable mineral processing and supports the development of green technologies in the coal industry.