This award will support a U.S.-Canada collaboration between Dr. Jaroslaw Drelich, Michigan Technological University and Dr. Janusz S. Laskowski of the University of British Columbia, Canada to study the effect of size and distribution of inorganic mineral particles in coal on its wettability. In particular, using advanced modern techniques, the researchers will study the effects of the nature, amount, size, and distribution of inorganic impurities of coal on both advancing and receding contact angles, which affect its wettability.
The research is important because coal separation and reconstitution processes in coal preparation plants largely depend on the wettability of organic and mineral matter constituents of coal. The Canadian side will provide access to a low-temperature ashing technique available at the University of British Columbia and contribute their expertise in coal surface science, while the U.S. researchers will bring modern techniques, using microprobing and X-ray diffraction instruments, that will advance the interpretation of experimental data. The proposed work will produce an improved and extended database for the water wettability of coal maceral that may lessen the environmental impact of coal use in North America.
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