Essesment of IM-50 and TOFA Adsorbed Layer on Cassiterite in Flotation of Tin Sulfide Wastes

Abstract

The paper presents the results of experimental study of the adsorption characteristic of theIM-50 and tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) collector reagents on cassiterite. UV-spectrophotometric method, scanning electron and lasermicroscopy were applied to analyze the adsorption of the reagents. SHIMADZU UV 1800 was used to obtain the UV spectra of aqueous solutions of IM-50 reagents and saponified TOFA at varied concentrations. IM-50 has not got characteristic adsorption maximain ultraviolet and visible spectrum. TOFA has a weakly pronounced maximum absorption in the range of 233-244 nm. Microscopicphotographs of cassiterite sections were obtained with LEO 1420VP INCA equipped OXFORD ENERGY 350 analyzer. Reagent IM-50and TOFA collector reagent, Newly formed organic matter phases of IM-50 and TOFA were detected. X-ray spectra characterized theincreased carbon content indicating adsorption on the surface of cassiterite IM-5- and TOFA.By measuring the surface relief parameters of polished cassiterite, using KEYENCE VK-9700 scanning laser microscopy and VK-Analyzer software, a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the IM-50 and TOFA reagent layer on the cassiterite surface was performed. Measurements were performed in the several fields of view and showed the degree of IM-50 coating varied from 40.5 to 42.6%of the surface area, and TOFA average coating was 38.5%. Subsequent washing with water does not remove the reagents from thesurface of the mineral and indicates a strong fixation of IM-50 and TOFA on cassiterite, which can have a positive effect on flotationextraction of sludge tin fractions.Qualitative and quantitative results of the reagent adsorption helped to make a forecast of their floatability by the studied collectors.This study is supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project No. 17-17-01292).