Grade-recovery beneficing and optimization of the froth flotation process of a mid-low phosphate ore using a mixed soybean and sunflower oil as a collector

Abstract

In the phosphate industry, the use of certain flotation reagents can cause severe water pollution and have a negative effect on the environment and human health. Therefore, the development and utilization of eco-friendly flotation reagents are essential for the sustainable production of phosphate ores and phosphate fertilizers. In this work, an economical and environmentally friendly mixed collector based on soybean and sunflower oils soaps was used to improve the grade and recovery of phosphate flotation. The results obtained from the flotation showed that the best composition of the mixed collector was 1:1 of the mass ratio of soybean and sunflower oils. In addition, the results showed that a low collector mass, medium solid content combined with an acidic medium resulted in a better relative floatability. Multi-response optimization was applied to optimize the process variables for both responses simultaneously using the Face Central Composite Design (FCCD). The effect of three independent variables such pH, collector mass, and solid content on the % P2O5 grade, and % recovery was studied. The results revealed that pH and collector mass had the most significant effect of the % grade response, while collector mass had a significant effect only on % recovery. It was found that more than 29.57% for grade content and 98.82% for the recovery can be achieved at the optimum conditions of low pH (pH 4) and low collector mass (0.13 g) and solid content (17.97 wt%). X-ray diffraction of the resulting solids confirms that the phosphate phase remains in the sink and that the gangue flows into the floated part.