Flotation properties of silicon carbide: II. On the influence of multivalent cations on the flotation of silicon carbide with sodium oleate

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

This article presents the results of investigations concerning the influence of multivalent cations on the flotation of silicon carbide with sodium oleate as a collector. These results show that there is great similarity of the effect of multivalent cations on the flotation of, respectively, silicon carbide and quartz, some oxides and silicates. The influence of multivalent cations on the flotation of SiC with sodium oleate is manifested by the maxima recoveries observed at specific pH values for the different cations tested: Fe +3, Al +3, Cu +2, Mn +2. In order to interpret the mechanism of their activity, both measurements of adsorption and of electrokinetic potential were carried out. The maxima recoveries observed are due to the presence of hydroxy complexes of the type MeOH +, MeOH +2, which were adsorbed on the negatively charged surface of the silicon carbide, as a result of which the adsorption of the anionic collector became possible. The flotation maxima occured in those pH ranges in which the hydroxy complexes reach the highest concentration in solution. This mechanism is similar to that explaining the phenomena observed in the case of quartz and some oxides and silicates.