Abstract
The flotation and adsorption of a new polysaccharide konjac gum (KG) on pyrite and talc in the presence of pre-adsorbed potassium butyl xanthate (PBX) is investigated. The micro-flotation results show that KG is a quality depressant for talc and that conditioning the minerals initially with PBX before KG will increase the recovery difference between pyrite and talc. The results of artificially mixing the minerals show that compared with adding KG before PBX, when minerals are pre-adsorbed with PBX, the grade and the recovery of sulfur (S) increases by 1.96% and 5.44%, respectively. The contact angle results show that the addition of PBX before KG will increase the contact angles of pyrite, but the addition order of KG/PBX has little influence on the contact angles of talc. The adsorption tests show that KG can adsorb on pyrite and talc surfaces, while PBX can only adsorb on the pyrite surface. The addition order of KG/PBX affects the adsorption of KG and PBX on the pyrite surface but not on the talc surface. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis further demonstrates the chemical adsorption of KG on pyrite and talc surfaces, while PBX chemisorbs on the pyrite surface. Based on these analyses, a schematic illustration of the reagent adsorption forms on pyrite and talc surfaces is drawn to explain the competitive adsorption of KG and PBX on mineral surfaces.
Highlights
Magnesium silicates, including talc, chlorite and serpentine, are the main gangue components of metal sulfide ore deposits [1,2,3]
The decline in pyrite microflotation recovery under strong alkaline conditions is due to the formation of a hydrophilic pyrite microflotation recovery under strong alkaline conditions is due to the formation of a ferric hydroxide film on the pyrite surface, which inhibits the flotation of pyrite [8]
When pyrite is pre-absorbed with potassium butyl xanthate (PBX), the contact angle of pyrite is still smaller than that in the single PBX system and is much higher than that when konjac gum (KG) is added before PBX
Summary
Magnesium silicates, including talc, chlorite and serpentine, are the main gangue components of metal sulfide ore deposits [1,2,3]. The presence of these gangue minerals at high concentrations will increase the smelting cost but will reduce the smelting efficiency [4,5]. The depressant will adsorb on the metal sulfide minerals and affect the adsorption of collectors [8]. We first investigated the adsorption mechanism of konjac gum on pyrite and talc surface and, second, studied the separation performance of konjac gum on pyrite and talc in the presence of pre-adsorbed xanthate collector. The study will provide a new idea for the flotation separation process in depressants and collector coexisting systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
