{"title":"Optimizing Coal Wettability via Anionic Surfactants: An Integrated Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation","authors":"Hongmei Li, Yun Zhao, Jie Deng, Jing Xie, Weiqi Zhou, Yiting Liu, Luming Li, Futing Xia, Rui Qi","doi":"10.1155/gfl/9112308","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The optimization of coal dust management in fluidized mining environments is of paramount importance, yet it is currently impeded by a gap in understanding chemical dust suppression mechanisms. This study combines indoor experiments with molecular simulation to investigate the mechanisms by which three anionic surfactants with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups (SDBS, SDS, and SLS) influence coal wettability. Using hydrophobic bituminous coal as the experimental subject, basic physical and chemical properties are analyzed through proximate analysis, XRD, and FTIR. The effect of different surfactants on coal wettability is characterized based on sedimentation experiments, while the coal–surfactant–water three-phase model examines the equilibrium adsorption configuration, water molecule diffusion coefficient, and interaction energy in different adsorption systems. The surface free energy of coal dust and its components is measured before and after surfactant adsorption, verifying the adsorption-wetting mechanism of surfactants at the coal–water interface. Results show that anionic surfactants enhance wettability through a bidirectional adsorption mechanism at the coal–water interface: the hydrophobic tail adheres to the coal surface via van der Waals forces, while the hydrophilic head faces the water phase, driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. This coordinated adsorption process alters water diffusion and the surface free energy of coal, thereby improving wettability. SDBS, due to its benzene ring, significantly amplifies the bidirectional adsorption effect, achieving the most substantial improvement in coal dust wettability. The findings provide a robust theoretical framework for developing dust control strategies in fluidized mining operations, advancing the field toward more efficient and sustainable mining practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":12512,"journal":{"name":"Geofluids","volume":"2024 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/gfl/9112308","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Geofluids","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/gfl/9112308","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The optimization of coal dust management in fluidized mining environments is of paramount importance, yet it is currently impeded by a gap in understanding chemical dust suppression mechanisms. This study combines indoor experiments with molecular simulation to investigate the mechanisms by which three anionic surfactants with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups (SDBS, SDS, and SLS) influence coal wettability. Using hydrophobic bituminous coal as the experimental subject, basic physical and chemical properties are analyzed through proximate analysis, XRD, and FTIR. The effect of different surfactants on coal wettability is characterized based on sedimentation experiments, while the coal–surfactant–water three-phase model examines the equilibrium adsorption configuration, water molecule diffusion coefficient, and interaction energy in different adsorption systems. The surface free energy of coal dust and its components is measured before and after surfactant adsorption, verifying the adsorption-wetting mechanism of surfactants at the coal–water interface. Results show that anionic surfactants enhance wettability through a bidirectional adsorption mechanism at the coal–water interface: the hydrophobic tail adheres to the coal surface via van der Waals forces, while the hydrophilic head faces the water phase, driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. This coordinated adsorption process alters water diffusion and the surface free energy of coal, thereby improving wettability. SDBS, due to its benzene ring, significantly amplifies the bidirectional adsorption effect, achieving the most substantial improvement in coal dust wettability. The findings provide a robust theoretical framework for developing dust control strategies in fluidized mining operations, advancing the field toward more efficient and sustainable mining practices.
期刊介绍:
Geofluids is a peer-reviewed, Open Access journal that provides a forum for original research and reviews relating to the role of fluids in mineralogical, chemical, and structural evolution of the Earth’s crust. Its explicit aim is to disseminate ideas across the range of sub-disciplines in which Geofluids research is carried out. To this end, authors are encouraged to stress the transdisciplinary relevance and international ramifications of their research. Authors are also encouraged to make their work as accessible as possible to readers from other sub-disciplines.
Geofluids emphasizes chemical, microbial, and physical aspects of subsurface fluids throughout the Earth’s crust. Geofluids spans studies of groundwater, terrestrial or submarine geothermal fluids, basinal brines, petroleum, metamorphic waters or magmatic fluids.