Detailed insights into improved chlorite removal during hematite reverse flotation by sodium alginate

Abstract

Hematite reverse flotation pulp is seriously deteriorated by chlorite due to the dissolution of chemical components (e.g., metal ions) on its surface. This study focused on the effect of sodium alginate on hematite reverse flotation. The results indicated that the addition of sodium alginate contributes to improving the chlorite entrainment recovery rate. The results of surface tension and solution viscosity tests along with the foam properties measured by the Foamscan analyzer demonstrated that the foam generation time reduces and the liquid volume in the foam layer increases with the addition of sodium alginate, further increasing the foam stability and chlorite entrainment rate. In addition, theoretical analysis of Plateau’s foam structure balance law supports this conclusion. This paper is significant as it addresses the challenging problem of chlorite-containing hematite reverse flotation.