Iron Bearing Minerals Flotation from Silica Sand Using Hydroxyl Surfactants

Suzan S Ibrahim,Wael M Fathy,Magdy A Elsayed,Tawfik R Boulos

doi:10.4236/jmmce.2021.94023

Suzan S Ibrahim, Wael M Fathy + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2021.94023

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Abstract

A technological clayey sandstone sample from Wadi Qena locality, Eastern Desert of Egypt, was directed to processing. Fine kaolin and clean silica sand were produced after intensive attrition scrubbing of the sample. To increase the quality of the produced silica, it was subjected to reverse anionic flotation to minimize its iron content. In this respect, conventional flotation tests using three anionic oxyhydryl surfactants namely: sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, sodium naphtha sulphonate, and sodium dodecyl sulphate, were tried. Results showed a privilege action for sodium dodecyl sulphate to remove most of the iron oxide content of the sample. A statistical Box-Behnken design was constructed to optimize the process efficiency. It was shown that from a flotation feed contained 360 ppm Fe2O3 and 1190 ppm Al2O3, sand concentrate contained 29 ppm Fe2O3 and 564 ppm Al2O3, was produced. The optimum flotation conditions were 3.86 kg/t sodium dodecyl sulphate dose, 3.22 flotation pulp pH, 1226 rpm impeller speed, and 22.24 L/min airflow rate. Variables interaction effects results showed that flotation separation efficiency was significantly influenced by air flow rate and cell impeller speed of the process.

Highlights

Silica sands are often associated with undesirable minerals which impair transmission in optical fibers application and affect the transparency of different produced glasses
Results showed a privilege action for sodium dodecyl sulphate to remove most of the iron oxide content of the sample
The present research paper is dealing with the flotation of iron gangues from the attrition silica sand of a clayey sandstone deposit in Wadi Qena, Eastern Desert of Egypt, using three anionic collectors namely sodium dodecyl sulphonate SDBS, sodium naphtha sulphonate SNS, and sodium dodecyl sulphate SDS

Summary

Introduction

Silica sands are often associated with undesirable minerals which impair transmission in optical fibers application and affect the transparency of different produced glasses. The kinetic is generally of first order, where its rate is dependent on large number of variables They can be grouped in three major components: chemical, operational and equipment variables [1]. The long-chain carboxylates, sulfonates or sulfates produce adequate froth and serve the dual purpose of collector and frother in the flotation processes [5] [6] [7] In this respect, the present research paper is dealing with the flotation of iron gangues from the attrition silica sand of a clayey sandstone deposit in Wadi Qena, Eastern Desert of Egypt, using three anionic collectors namely sodium dodecyl sulphonate SDBS, sodium naphtha sulphonate SNS, and sodium dodecyl sulphate SDS. Box-Behnken design (BBD) coupled with the response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize statistically the flotation process using SDS collector and to illustrate the interaction effect of the detrimental variables on the separation efficiency

Experimental

Sample Characterization

Reverse Anionic Flotation of Iron Gangues

Statistical Optimizing of the Flotation Process

Variables Interaction Effects

Conclusions