The flotation performance of lignite is poor even if a high dosage of the collector is used. In this work, the lignite in the Huolinhe Coalfield of Inner Mongolia was used, and its physicochemical properties were determined by proximate analysis, particle size analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The flotation performances of lignite using six collectors were investigated. Moreover, the flotation responses of lignite with combined collector and two emulsified collectors were compared. It was found that the polar groups in the collector structure were helpful to improve the flotation of lignite through reducing the induction time to 15 ms, only 1/12 of that of the traditional collector (190 ms for diesel). The induction time was in the order of diesel> kerosene> emulsified kerosene> emulsified diesel> C1 (one of the nameless collectors), consistent with the flotation performance. C1 and emulsified collectors significantly improved the flotation performance of lignite by promoting the floating of coarse coal (-500 + 250 mu m). (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.