Abstract
Ilmenite disseminated grain size is relatively fine, and it must be finely ground to fully separate ilmenite from gangue and then produce fine-grained minerals, which deteriorates flotation. A novel method using buoyant carriers to improve the recovery of fine ilmenite in froth flotation was introduced in this study. Hydrophobized glass bubbles (HGB) as carrier materials were obtained by an efficient, simple modification of ordinary glass bubbles. The carrier flotation of fine ilmenite in the presence of HGB was investigated by micro flotation tests, X-ray diffractometer analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), optical microscope observation, and the extended DLVO theory (XDLVO). Micro-flotation results showed that the recovery of fine ilmenite in presence of HGB was 37.7% higher than that when using NaOL alone at pH 6. FTIR analysis and optical microscope observation revealed that fine ilmenite particles can be closely attached on the HGB surface to increase apparent particle size considerably. The data calculated from the DLVO theory indicated that the acid–base interaction force determined the adsorption between two hydrophobic particles.
Highlights
As a strategic metal, titanium has wide applications in the fields of medicine and aerospace
Titanium ores, which are the crucial footstone of the titanium industry, include ilmenite (FeTiO3) and rutile (TiO2), and it is reported that ilmenite in vanadium–titanium magnetite account for about 90% of China’s titanium resources [1,2]
In the authors’ view, nonmineral material carriers accomplish the following properties to improve the recovery of fine particles in flotation: Density lower than water density
Summary
Titanium has wide applications in the fields of medicine and aerospace. Restricted by beneficiation methods, the recycling utilization rate of Panzhihua ilmenite is low, especially the fine-grained ilmenite (
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