Advances in depressants for flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity:A critical review

The flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity can be achieved using selective depressants.In the flotation system of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals,depressants usually preferentially interact with the pyrite surface to render the mineral surface hydrophilic and hinder the adsorption of the collector.This review summarizes the advances in depressants for the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity.These advances include use of inorganic depressants (oxidants and sulfur–oxygen compounds),natural polysaccharides (starch,dextrin,konjac glucomannan,and galactomannan),modified polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose,polyacrylamide,lignosulfonate,and tricarboxylate sodium starch),organic acids (polyglutamic acid,sodium humate,tannic acid,pyrogallic acid,salicylic acid,and lactic acid),sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamate,and diethylenetriamine.The potential application of specific inorganic and organic depressants in the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity is reviewed.The advances in the use of organic depressants with respect to the flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals are comprehensively detailed.Additionally,the depression performances and mechanisms of different types of organic depressants on mineral surfaces are summarized.Finally,several perspectives on depressants vis-à-vis flotation separation of Cu–Fe sulfide minerals at low alkalinity are proposed.

Mechanism of calcium lignosulfonate in apatite and dolomite flotation system

Since the physical and chemical properties of apatite and dolomite can be similar,the separation of these two minerals is difficult.Therefore,when performing this separation using the flotation method,it is necessary to search for selective depressants.An experimental research was performed on the separation behavior of apatite and dolomite using calcium lignosulfonate as a depressant,and the mechanism by which this occurs was analyzed.The results show that calcium lignosulfonate has a depressant effect on both apatite and dolomite,but the depressant effect on dolomite is stronger at the same dosage.Mechanism analysis shows that the adsorptive capacity of calcium lignosulfonate on dolomite is higher than that of apatite,which is due to the strong reaction between calcium lignosulfonate and the Ca sites on dolomite.In addition,there is a hydrogen bond between calcium lignosulfonate and dolomite,which further prevents the adsorption of sodium oleate to dolomite,thus greatly inhibiting the flotation of dolomite.

ANALOG STUDY ON THE DEPRESSING MECHANISM OF TANNIN TO DIOPSIDE

The depression mechanisms of tannin on the diopside surface have been studied by the rise of Infrared spectroscopy (IR), simulated pulp and mixed solution tests, It is found that the first order hydroxy completes of calcium are able to interact with tannin, and to form chemical complexes. es. The functional groups in tannin molecules participating in the chemical complexation are the hydroxyl groups, and carboxyl groups derived from the hydrolysis of hydroxyl groups.

A depressant for marmatite flotation:Synthesis,characterisation and floatation performance

This study synthesised a zincic salt(ZS)as a depressant for marmatite-galena separation.The effect of ZS on the flotation of marmatite and galena was investigated through micro-flotation tests.88.89%of the galena was recovered and 83.39%of the marmatite was depressed with ZS dosage of 750 mg·L^(−1)at pH=4.The depression mechanism of ZS on marmatite was investigated by a variety of techniques,including adsorption measurements,Fourier transform infrared(FTIR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic(XPS)analysis,and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS).Results of adsorption tests and FTIR reveal that ZS adsorbed on marmatite surface and impeded the subsequent adsorption of butyl xanthate(BX).The results of XPS and ToF-SIMS indicate that the ZnO_(2)^(3-)released by ZS could be chemisorbed on the marmatite surface and depress marmatite flotation.

Utilization of polysaccharides as depressants for the flotation separation of copper/lead concentrate

The interaction mechanism between dextrin and minerals has been investigated through micro-flotation, adsorption density measurements, Fourier transform infrared ray (FTIR) spectroscopic studies and dissolution tests. Dextrin shows a good depressing action towards galena but not chalcopyrite. FTIR spectroscopic studies indicate that dextrin chemically adsorbed on galena surface in alkaline pH range. Dissolution tests confirm leaching action of metal ions from chalcopyrite and galena surfaces, and dextrin-lead ion interaction. Adsorption measurements present that the higher adsorption density of O-isopropyl-N-ethyl thionocarbamate (IPETC) onto chalcopyrite than that onto galena, and IPETC adsorbed on galena decrease with increasing dextrin concentrations in the presence of dextrin, attesting the flotation results.