Sulfide Ore Flotation Research Articles

Selective flotation of chalcopyrite from galena using a novel collector benzoic diethylcarbamothioic thioanhydride: An experimental and theoretical investigation

The flotation separation of chalcopyrite and galena has always been the focus of production. Benzoic diethylcarbamothioic thioanhydride (BDT) is a novel chelating collector that has shown a certain application strength in the field of sulfide ore flotation. In this research, micro-flotation tests, zeta potential tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to investigate the selective recovery and selective adsorption of BDT on chalcopyrite and galena. The flotation results showed that BDT had good flotation selectivity for chalcopyrite and galena, which achieved up to 96.67 % and 50.26 %, respectively, at pH 6 using a collector dosage of 100 g/t. The analysis of the adsorption mechanism showed that CS and CO in BDT are mainly involved in the adsorption process. On the surface of chalcopyrite, CS and CO can form a six-membered chelating ring with Fe or Cu sites. BDT can also be adsorbed on the surface of galena in the same way, but the adsorption strength is weaker than that on the surface of chalcopyrite.

Justification of applying collectors from the class of unsaturated tertiary alcohols in flotation of gold-bearing sulphide ores

Given in the paper are the results of calculations of the simplest quantum-chemical parameters of the structures under consideration formed in the mineral–flotation reagent system by the method of molecular mechanics (MM2). Theoretical computations on the interaction mechanism between unsaturated alcohols and gold atoms in various energy states are formulated. There were determined the causes and ascertained the regularities of selective fixation of reagents with triple bonds, which are tertiary alcohols, on the surface of liberated grains of gold and gold-containing minerals. Presented are the results of practical flotation studies, which have showed that the use of acetylene reagents allows one to selectively obtain additional gold recovery from gold-bearing ores from 2.4 to 5.0% relative to the basic flotation indicators.

Heterocyclic Reagents in Flotation of Sulfide Ore: A Review

Heterocyclic Reagents in Flotation of Sulfide Ore: A Review

Mechanism of sulfide ore flotation activation by precipitated lead xanthates

The authors justify feasibility of sphalerite flotation activation by physisorbed products of interaction of heavy metals and ion xanthates as a case-study of activation with lead ethyl xanthate. It is shown that the collecting agent derivatives can remove the kinetic constraint of the particle-bubble attachment, i.e. they remove water from the interlayer between a mineral particle and a gas bubble. The spreading rate of the collector derivatives governs the rate of the interlayer removal, the induction time and the collectability of this type of adsorption. The tests reveal that the increase in pH from 7 to 10 accelerates spreading of ethyl precipitates of lead xanthate over water surface from 8.5 to 15 cm/s, which correlates with the flotation performance. Based on the mechanism of physisorption, the suppression of sphalerite flotation at higher concentrations of salts of heavy metals is explained.

Synergistic mechanism of acidified water glass and carboxymethyl cellulose in flotation of nickel sulfide ore

• The effect mechanisms of serpentine and talc on sulfide flotation are different. • Acidified water glass can eliminate heterocoagulation between serpentine and talc. • Carboxymethyl cellulose can inhibit talc flotation . • When serpentine and talc coexist, dispersants and inhibitors need to be used together. Efficiently utilizing nickel sulfide ores containing multiple magnesium silicate gangue minerals through flotation is difficult. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the flotation behavior and discussed the mechanism of a refractory nickel sulfide ore with multiple MgO gangue minerals. The synergistic mechanism of acidified water glass (AWG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in the flotation of the nickel sulfide ore was studied through flotation tests, zeta potential measurements, adsorption capacity tests, Fourier transform infrared ray (FTIR) spectroscopy, and observation under a microscope. The results showed that the addition of AWG could change the electrical properties on the surface of serpentine, weaken the heterogeneous aggregation of serpentine and talc, and increase the selective adsorption of CMC on the talc surface. The actual ore flotation test was conducted with the synergistic effect of AWG and CMC. In the practical flotation test of the ore, the concentration of MgO in the concentrate, compared with the original process with CMC alone, was reduced from 9.62% to lesser than 5.92%, with the combined synergistic action of acidified sodium silicate and CMC acting as the depressant. Simultaneously, the grade and recovery of Ni from the Ni-mixed concentrate remained unchanged, and the inhibiting effect of the magnesium-bearing gangue minerals improved.

Sustainable Use of Copper Resources: Beneficiation of Low-Grade Copper Ores

The global market has announced copper as a modern energy metal and finds its extensive utilization in the construction industry, electrical wiring, power transmission lines, alloying, anticorrosive coating, heat exchangers, refrigeration tubing, etc. Copper ore is primarily beneficiated from sulphide mineral deposits. Due to high-grade copper sulphide deposit exhaustion, the focus has now shifted towards recovery from different lean-grade oxide and mixed ore deposits. The present paper summarizes the utilization of copper as a clean energy mineral and its importance in the current renewable energy sector. Extensive research has been carried out on the flotation of copper sulphide ore as compared to copper oxide and mixed type ores. Besides flotation, other beneficiation techniques (selective flocculation and gravity separation) are also discussed in the present review. A few novel pretreatment methods are currently being studied for copper ore to intensify the separation for higher productivity.

Effects of Residual Xanthate on Flotation Efficiency of a Cu-Zn Sulfide Ore

Reuse of process water in the flotation of sulfide ores has crucial importance for environmental sustainability and improved process economy. However, the chemistry of process water may be a critical subject for the flotation efficiency as the dissolved ion concentration increases with water reuse. In this study, the effects of water reuse on the flotation efficiency of a Cu-Zn sulfide ore were investigated. The flotation flowsheet consists of a pre-flotation section to remove the naturally floatable talc particles, and sequential copper and zinc flotation sections. Calcium, sulfate, thiosulfate, and xanthate were found as major contaminating ionic species in the process water discharged from flotation circuits. The flotation tests with recirculated water from the zinc rougher tailing revealed that the presence of residual xanthate caused unintentional activation of copper minerals in the pre-float section. Copper recovery increased in the pre-flotation section and resulted in the loss of copper to the pre-float concentrate, which is considered as a tailing stream in the current flowsheet. Various types of activated carbon samples were tested to remove the residual xanthate from the tailing water. The carbon samples could be regenerated by heat treatment and reused for water treatment. Performance of the activated carbon samples was directly related to the pore size and surface area. Carbon-treated tailing water could be re-used in flotation without affecting the flotation performance.

Влияние рудоподготовки на флотацию минералов меди и мышьяка при переработке сульфидных руд

Monomineral flotation results showed that the use of a new reagent S-cyanoethyl N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate enhances the flotation activity of chalcopyrite, in contrast to flotation with butyl xanthate, and reduced the flotation ability of arsenopyrite, which makes this reagent promising for its use in the selective flotation of complex sulfide ores.

Heterocyclic Reagents in Flotation of Sulfide Ore: A Review

Heterocyclic Reagents in Flotation of Sulfide Ore: A Review

Predicting the fate of diethylenetriamine in pyrrhotite tailings management

Rejection of pyrrhotite (Po) during flotation of copper-nickel sulfide ores can increase the concentrate grade and decrease smelter SO2 emissions. Diethylenetriamine (DETA) is an effective reagent for Po depression during flotation. However, it forms stable complexes with nickel and copper that remain soluble at alkaline pH and cannot be removed from effluent by conventional wastewater treatment. In this study, sorption tests were used to predict the fate of DETA introduced to the tailings area under various conditions. It was found that warm temperature and low pH promoted adsorption. Upon dilution, however, DETA desorbed from the tailings solids in a process that was also promoted at warm temperature, as well as alkaline pH. The behavior of DETA was modeled in a theoretical tailings management area using the experimental sorption data along with geochemical modelling using OLI Studio software to 1) predict the concentration of DETA, Cu-DETA, and Ni-DETA in final effluent and 2) ascertain if copper and nickel concentrations would be expected to exceed regulated limits. The modeling predicts that copper exceedances in the effluent would occur 2–5 months after DETA addition began, depending on the season in which DETA addition began. Decreasing the DETA dose and the ore throughput in the mill (consequently reducing DETA load in the system) limit the likelihood of Cu exceedance in the effluent. However, the most practical method to limit Cu exceedance is to thicken the tailings before deposition to minimize dilution and desorption of DETA from the tailings. These results can be used to guide the development and assessment of a mitigation plan if DETA is used as a reagent in mineral processing.

Hydrogen Peroxide in Reagent Regimes in Copper Sulphide Ore Flotation

Hydrogen Peroxide in Reagent Regimes in Copper Sulphide Ore Flotation

Hydrogen Peroxide in Reagent Regimes in Copper Sulphide Ore Flotation

Hydrogen Peroxide in Reagent Regimes in Copper Sulphide Ore Flotation

Surface modification mechanism of galena with H2SO4 and its effect on flotation separation performance

The development of galena flotation inhibitors is a key focus and challenge in the flotation of polymetallic sulfide ores. In this paper, H2SO4 was used to modify the galena surface and to reduce its surface hydrophobicity, and the modification mechanism of the galena surface was studied through microflotation experiments, contact angle determination and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The microflotation results showed that the galena floatability after modification with H2SO4 decreased significantly, and the main influencing factors were sulfuric acid concentration, modification temperature and time. The surface contact angle of galena decreased from 93.03° to 44.67° under optimum modification conditions. The XPS analysis results indicated that hydrophilic PbSO4 species were produced on the galena (PbS) surface. The modification-flotation experiment results of the galena-chalcopyrite mixture indicated that efficient separation performance between the two minerals was obtained, which was consistent with the contact angle and XPS analysis described above. This new method provides a potential application for the flotation separation of galena-containing polymetallic sulfide ores.

Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite

The use of untreated recycled water has negative effects in the flotation of zinc sulfide ores due to the presence of dissolved species, such as magnesium and calcium. Although it has been found that magnesium is a more potent depressant than calcium, it has not been investigated in this role or for the effect of adding sodium carbonate. The results of an investigation to evaluate the effect of magnesium on the hydrophobicity of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with Sodium Isopropyl Xanthate (SIPX) are presented. Zeta potential of natural and Cu-activated sphalerite as a function of the conditioning pH and Cu(II) concentration, respectively, was first evaluated. Later, the effect of pH and presence of magnesium on the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with SIPX was studied; it was also evaluated the effect of sodium carbonate to counteract the effect of magnesium. Cu-activation enhances the zeta potential of sphalerite up to a concentration of 5 mg/L. Contact angle tests, thermodynamic simulation, and surface analysis showed that magnesium hydroxide precipitates on the sphalerite surface at pH 9.6, decreasing its hydrophobicity. Addition of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent precipitates the magnesium in the form of a species that remained dispersed in the bulk solution, favoring the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite and, consequently, its hydrophobicity. It is concluded that the use of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent favors the precipitation of magnesium as hydromagnesite (Mg5(OH)2(CO3)4∙4H2O) instead of hydroxide allowing the recovery of sphalerite.

اندازه گیری پایداری کف در سلول فلوتاسیون و بررسی تاثیر عوامل موثر بر آن

In this study, the froth stability for flotation of sulfide ores of iron ore concentrate was determined using the froth stability column and the effect of superficial gas velocity, collector dosage, frother dosage, and sample particle size (d50) on stability were investigated. Therefore, the effect of the parameters on the froth formation and Froth decay was determined according to the froth retention time (or the maximum froth height) and the froth half-life time The results showed that increasing the superficial gas velocity, collector dosage and frother dosage builder has a positive effect on froth stability, so that with increasing frother dosage from 60 to 140 gr/L, froth retention time and froth half-life time Increased by 92 and 71%, respectively. The sample particle size behaved differently in froth formation and decay, so that with d50 reduction, the maximum froth height increased but the froth half-life time decreased. Froth recovery was calculated according to the test conditions at different heights, and since the froth recovery was calculated based on the maximum froth height, the effect of the parameters expressed on the froth recovery was similar to the froth formation (maximum froth height). The results showed that the superficial gas velocity had the greatest effect and the collector dosage had the least effect on froth recovery. Also, froth recovery decreases sharply with increasing froth height, so that the average froth recovery in 30 experiments performed at 10 cm was 31%, while at 15 cm it was about 14%.

Froth flotation process and its application

AbstractThe paper is about the froth flotation process and its application. It is a metallurgical process for the extraction of metals in a pure state from their ores: especially for sulfide ores. Froth flotation is one of the steps which is generally performed before roasting and it deals with the surface chemistry of liquids and of the minerals to be separated. This process requires a particular setup to be performed which contains different components. Surfactants play the most important role here. Different types of surfactants are used in different ways and each of them plays a crucial role like, collectors, frothers, froth stabilizers, depressants and activators, pH regulators etc. The sulfide ore flotation process can be studied by both chemical and electrochemical phenomena considering the interfacial energies. A broad application of this process in industrial field is the flotation of iron ores which is of two types: direct and reverse flotation. The later one is again based on two different types as cationic and anionic reverse flotation. In all these processes different types of flotation reagents are used. Another application is separation of malachite and azurite ore using sulfidization flotation.

Effect of aluminum ions on the adsorption of carboxymethyl cellulose onto talc

Talc is a gangue mineral of many sulfide minerals, which is naturally hydrophobic. The depression of talc is very important and challenging in sulfide ore flotation. This research introduced aluminum ions into the process of using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to depress talc. Flotation experiment results showed that aluminum ions used alone exerted a weak depression effect on talc, and that aluminum ions used in conjunction with CMC effectively depressed the flotation of talc at pH 8.5. Results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and adsorption tests showed that the interaction of aluminum ions with talc changed the surface of talc, and Al(OH)3 formed on the talc surfaces, thereby promoting the adsorption of CMC onto talc and depressing the flotation of talc. On this basis, the morphology of CMC on the talc surface was observed by atomic force microscopy imaging. With the addition of aluminum ions, CMC aggregated to a greater extent, multiple layers adsorbed onto the surface of talc, and the coverage of CMC substantially increased. Based on all tests and analysis, the mechanism of the synergistic effect of CMC and aluminum ions on talc flotation was also proposed.

Enhancing flotation separation of chalcopyrite and magnesium silicate minerals by surface synergism between PAAS and GA

Separation effects of sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) and gum Arabic (GA) on flotation of chalcopyrite and magnesium silicate minerals using potassium butyl xanthate (PBX) as collector were investigated by micro-flotation experiments, zeta potential, Infrared spectral (IR), SEM–EDS, XPS analysis and copper sulphide ore beneficiation test. The micro-flotation experiments and zeta potential measurements showed that combined depressant consisting of PAAS and GA could efficiently reduce the recoveries of mixed minerals of serpentine and talc more than 25%, while that of chalcopyrite remained above 70% at pH 9.2. Infrared spectral (IR), SEM–EDS and XPS analysis showed that PAAS chemically reacted with Mg on the surface of serpentine, while GA adsorbed on talc surface mainly via physical interaction and hydrogen bond may also play a role. Surface synergism between PAAS and GA was investigated by turbidity test and its depression mechanism was proposed. The technology feasibility of using PAAS and GA to improve the copper sulphide ore flotation performance was verified through artificial mixed ore flotation and laboratory closed-flotation operation.

Flotation of Seafloor Massive Sulfide Ores: Combination of Surface Cleaning and Deactivation of Lead-Activated Sphalerite to Improve the Separation Efficiency of Chalcopyrite and Sphalerite

The purpose of this study is to propose the flotation procedure of seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) ores to separate chalcopyrite and galena as froth and sphalerite, pyrite, and other gangue minerals as tailings, which is currently facing difficulties due to the presence of water-soluble compounds. The obtained SMS ore sample contains CuFeS2, ZnS, FeS2, SiO2, and BaSO4 in addition to PbS and PbSO4 as Pb minerals. Soluble compounds releasing Pb, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Fe2+/3+ are also contained. When anglesite co-exists, lead activation of sphalerite occurred, and thus sphalerite was recovered together with chalcopyrite as froth. To remove soluble compounds (e.g., anglesite) that have detrimental effects on the separation efficiency of chalcopyrite and sphalerite, surface cleaning pretreatment using ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) was applied before flotation. Although most of anglesite were removed and the recovery of chalcopyrite was improved from 19% to 81% at 20 g/t potassium amyl xanthate (KAX) after EDTA washing, the floatability of sphalerite was not suppressed. When zinc sulfate was used as a depressant for sphalerite after EDTA washing, the separation efficiency of chalcopyrite and sphalerite was improved due to deactivation of lead-activated sphalerite by zinc sulfate. The proposed flotation procedure of SMS ores—a combination of surface cleaning with EDTA to remove anglesite and the depression of lead-activated sphalerite by using zinc sulfate—could achieve the highest separation efficiency of chalcopyrite and sphalerite; that is, at 200 g/t KAX, the recoveries of chalcopyrite and sphalerite were 86% and 17%, respectively.

Copper Recovery Through Smelter Slag Flotation in Atacama, Chile: An Industrial Case Study

Copper slag flotation was studied on an industrial scale at a concentrator plant in the region of Atacama, Chile. This study consisted of the physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterization of the copper slag, along with preliminary flotation tests. This article focuses on industrial flotation, which consisted of two oneyear campaigns (2016 and 2017). The first campaign was carried out using an existing copper slag flotation circuit in the plant. During the second campaign (2017), a circuit for sulfide ore flotation with an additional columnar flotation cleaning stage was evaluated. Results showed an improvement in metallurgical parameters on the second campaign (including improvements in processing capacity, concentrate copper grade, and metallurgical recovery). From the industrial copper slag flotation campaigns, it was concluded that it is possible to obtain a commercialquality copper concentrate, suitable for further processing in a copper smelter. This mitigates certain environmental impacts of copper processing.