The effect of temperature on the pulp and froth phases in the flotation of pyrite

Abstract

The effect of temperature on the flotation of pyrite has been investigated. At temperatures below ambient an increase in temperature results in an increase in the rate of flotation of fast-floating particles but has a minimal effect on that for slow-floating particles. At temperatures greater than ambient the dominant effect of increasing temperature is to decrease the viscosity of the water thus increasing the rate of elutriation of the gangue back to the pulp. In general an increase in temperature resulted in an increase in the rate of pyrite recovery and the sulphur grades and a decrease in the water recovery and size of the bubbles in the pulp.