Abstract
The flocculation properties of poly (ethylene oxide) on various mineral dispersions were examined. Flocculation was found to be effective on those substances recognized to be hydrophobic and not on those so-called hydrophilic ones. Thus good flocculation was found on tale, graphite, chalcopyrite and covellite dispersions. Conversely, poor flocculation was observed on rutile, quartz, copper silicate, copper carbonate, etc. Promotion of the flocculation of the hydrophilic copper-bearing compounds was effective by addition of surface modifiers such as sodium sulphide, potassium amyl xanthate and tannin derivatives. This promotion was studied under various hydrodynamic and chemical conditions. High stirring was observed to be necessary for both adsorption and flocculation reactions of poly (ethylene oxide) on “sulphidised” or “xanthated” copper surfaces. The sulphidization process was sensitive to varying amounts of calcium and/or carbonate ions decreasing the efficiency of flocculation of copper compounds by poly (ethylene oxide). The different mechanisms which might be involved in the adsorption—flocculation properties of poly (ethylene oxide) at the mineral/water interface, are discussed and a general explanation is offered.
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