Reverse flotation process in double stage on the Algerian phosphate ore treatment

Abstract

Purpose. In this work, the influence of flotation reagents on the separation yield of the phosphate-carbonate system is studied. The investigation is conducted by the reverse flotation process in double stage of the phosphate ores from the Jebel Onk deposit-Algeria. Methodology. The experimental part can be divided into three aspects, a mechanical preparation of the samples, and flotation tests in the first stage followed by a double flotation and, finally, characterization of the flotation products by different physical-chemical analysis techniques. Findings. Reverse flotation double stage process was applied on two classes of phosphate ores (C1: 40–250 and C2: 250–500 m). The samples are constituted by phosphatic elements (apatite), cemented by a mixture of a great amount of dolomite with low amounts of quartz, clay and calcite. Flotation results showed that P2O5 recovery was higher for C2 compared to C1. Thus, oleic acid and double tartrate of sodium-potassium could be considered as the best reagent since the P2O5 recovery content corresponds to 29.27 and 31.25 % for C1 and C2, respectively. Compared to the oleic acid and pine oil reagent, the recoveries of P2O5 were 28.85 and 30.55 % for C1 and C2, respectively. However, when other reagents as (oleic acid  phosphoric acid) and (oleic acid + diesel fuel) were used, the recovered amount of P2O5 was found to be less important, 27.80 and 27.10 % for class C1, and 30.14 and 29.15 % for C2, respectively. Originality. During this study two main axes were discussed: the first one was the influence of flotation reagents on flotation of the first and second stages, the second one was to study the effect of grain size on the flotation yields. The flotation process has been shown to be effective both in terms of depressed phosphate elements in the phosphate concentrates and in gangue floated in the flotation tailings. It can be seen that the concentrate contents of around 32 % is achieved in P2O5 with superior recoveries of 99 %. Practical value. The results of analyses carried out on the flotation products showed, in most cases, that the streams are richer in phosphate elements (fluorapatite, carbonate hydroxylapatite, carbonate fluorapatite) and a low amount of carbonates (dolomite and calcite), unlike floating, mainly made up of dolomite with a small amount of phosphated elements.