Effects of Galvanic Interaction between Chalcopyrite and Monoclinic Pyrrhotite on Their Flotation Separation

Liu Yang,Huashan Yan,Xiaohe Liu,Xiaowen Zhou,Hongliang Zhang,Tingsheng Qiu

doi:10.3390/min12010039

Abstract

The galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite and monoclinic pyrrhotite and its effect on flotation separation were studied using monomineral flotation tests, adsorption capacity tests, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test. These results showed that the interaction promoted the reduction of O2 on the cathodic chalcopyrite surface and accelerated the generation of Fe(OH)3, which was not conducive to collector adsorption; hence, the flotation recovery decreased by 10–16%. On the other hand, galvanic interaction accelerated the oxidation of S on the anodic monoclinic pyrrhotite surface to S0 or SO42− and produced a large amount of H+, thus preventing the formation of Fe(OH)3. Meanwhile, the Cu2+ eluted from chalcopyrite surface activated monoclinic pyrrhotite; hence, the flotation recovery increased by 3–10%. Galvanic interaction reduced the floatability difference between the two minerals, and the separation difficulty was significantly increased. Even with an increase in the amount of lime, the separation could not be improved.

Highlights

Pyrrhotite is a widely distributed pyrite that is often associated with other non-ferrous metal sulfide ores
Chalcopyrite used in the experiment was collected from Daye, Hubei; monoclinic pyrrhotite was obtained from Hongqiling, Jilin
The effects of butyl xanthate, pulp pH, and lime on the flotation behavior of chalcopyrite and monoclinic pyrrhotite before and after galvanic interaction were investigated in detail

Summary

Introduction

Pyrrhotite is a widely distributed pyrite that is often associated with other non-ferrous metal sulfide ores. Pyrrhotite has a variable crystal structure and is oxidized and dissolved. These properties make it interfere with the flotation of copper sulfide ore [1,2,3]. Many researchers have explored the separation process of copper sulfide ores containing pyrrhotite. Tong et al [9] considered the Au-bearing copper ore as an intergrowth with pyrrhotite and used a “mixed flotation–copper sulfur separation–stage grinding and stage separation” technological process combined with highly efficient collector YL-3 to obtain better Cu and Au concentrate indicators.

Methods

Results

Conclusion