Preparation of foaming agents for dust suppression of coal particles

The results of the study of foams stabilized by solid coal particles are given. The method of sedimentation analysis determined the most likely radius of coal particles equal to 20.28 microns. Foaming ability was determined by the height of the foam column obtained by the method of bubbling within 1 min. Foam stability was determined by the time of complete destruction of the foam column. Foams stabilized by the compositions of anionic surfactants – sodium dodecyl sulfate (DDSNa) and sulfonol (SF) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in the presence of hydrophobic solid particles of coal showed greater foaming capacity and stability compared to foams from individual surfactants. The surface tension isotherms of aqueous solutions of surfactants, PVA, and their mixtures were obtained. An increase in the stability of foams in the presence of coal particles corresponds to a decrease in the surface tension at the liquid-gas interface. The stability of foams obtained from surfactant-PVA compositions is explained by the combined influence of thermodynamic (reduction of surface tension) and structural-mechanical (increase in viscosity of inter-membrane fluid) of stability factors. These properties of foams can be used to suppress dust in coal mining.