Flotation separation of dolomite from fluorapatite using NaF as an activator

Abstract

For the reverse flotation of phosphate ore, a high amount of sulfuric acid is required. In this study, we used NaF as a flotation activator to separate dolomite and fluorapatite to reduce acid consumption in the flotation process. Both single and actual mineral flotations were conducted. The NaF addition significantly improved the floatability of dolomite and reduced the flotation system's acid consumption. We employed X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Material Studio simulation to examine the effect of dolomite activator (NaF) on the surface of dolomite and fluoroapatite. The addition of NaF showed much less effect on fluoroapatite than dolomite, thereby increasing the difference in floatability between dolomite and fluoroapatite, which is beneficial to flotation.