Synthesis and evaluation of sulphonated acetone–formaldehyde resin applied as dispersant of coal–water slurry

The water-soluble sulphonated acetone–formaldehyde (SAF) resin was synthesized by a reaction among acetone, formaldehyde and sodium sulfite. It is applied as a dispersant of a coal–water slurry, and the influence of the synthesis processing parameter on the inherent viscosity and the dispersing ability of the SAF resin was investigated. The composite SAF resin was regarded as an aliphatic high polymer containing block hydrophilic and hydrophobic structures in the molecular chain, which show little surface activity. The dispersing ability of the SAF resin dispersant in a coal–water slurry was evaluated, and the effect of the SAF mass concentration on the rheological property of the slurries was determined. The results showed that the SAF resin has potential to be developed as a new type of dispersant of a coal–water slurry.