Abstract: Coal flotation is one of the most effective ways to improve the utilization of coal slime and reduce environmental pollution.However,the collecting performance,the selectivity of collector and consumption of reagent for coal preparation etc.are the most important factors on impacting the effect of coal flotation.Through three aspects including the conventional non-polar hydrocarbon oil collector,complex flotation reagent and the combined use of reagent,this paper discusses the current situation of research,the use of coal collector and its effect.But the high reagent consumption and poor selectivity are still the major problem for coal flotation in China.The research of complex reagent has been a new trend in recent years,and achieved good results.The combined use of reagent as a new system not only can increase the activity of reagent,but also can improve the flotation index.So it has become another focus of the research of reagent.