Electrochemical behavior of galena and jamesonite flotation in high alkaline pulp

In order to effectively separate galena and jamesonite and improve the recovery during the mixing flotation, the interaction mechanisms between the minerals and the collector of diethyl dithiocarbamate （DDTC） were investigated. Single mineral flotation test was organized to research the effect of pulp pH value on the flotation behavior of galena and jamesonite. Electrochemistry property of the interaction of these two minerals with DDTC was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and Tafel tests. Flotation test shows that the recovery of jamesonite in high alkaline pulp is strongly depressed by lime （Ca（OH）2）. The cyclic voltammetry and Tafel tests results show that the interaction between galena and DDTC is an electrochemical process. High pH value has little influence on the interaction between galena and DDTC, while it has great effect on jamesonite due to self-oxidation and specific adsorption of OH^- and CaOH^＋ on jamesonite surface. Non-electroactive hydroxyl compound and low-electroconductive calcium compounds cover the surface of jamesonite, which impedes electron transfer and DDTC adsorption, thus leads to very low floatability of jamesonite.

Electronic structure and flotation behavior of complex mineral jamesonite

Electronic structures of complex mineral jamesonite were studied using density functional theory method together with their flotation behavior. The flotation behavior ofjamesonite is similar to that of stibnite, indicating good floatability at pH below 6 and easy depression with NaOH, especially with lime. In weak alkaline condition, the flotation behavior ofjamesonite is close to that of galena. The coordination structure of Pb for jamesonite is more complex than that for galena. Sb in jamesonite possesses two coordinated modes, whereas Sb of stibnite is only 3-coordinated. Pb in galena is more active than that in jamesonite. Sb （3-coordination） in jamesonite is inactive, in contrast with that in stibnite. However, 4-coordination Sb in jamesonite is more active than 3-coordination Sb. HOMO orbitals of jamesonite and stibnite contain metal atoms, which contribute to the formation of adsorption configuration of CaOH^＋ when there is lime; therefore, jamesonite and stibnite are easily depressed by lime.

Effect of 2-aminothiophenol on the separation of jamesonite and marmatite

The minerals jamesonite and marmatite have similar surface properties.Separating them using a flotation method is inefficient.For separation of lead and zinc the lead mineral is generally floated preferentially to the zinc mineral,which appears in the sinks.In this study a new of collector,2-aminothiophenol,is introduced that can float a zinc mineral,as a product entrapped in foam,preferentially.Single mineral flotation tests revealed that 2-aminothiophenol has good selectivity for flotation of marmatite. An artificial mixture of minerals used in a flotation test showed that 2-aminothiophenol can effectively separate marmatite from jamesonite.A product assaying at 45.06%Zn and 4.06%Pb was produced.FTIR spectra were employed to probe the adsorption mechanism of 2-aminothiophenol onto marmatite.The results indicate that adsorption of 2-aminothiophenol onto jamesonite and marmatite were,respectively,physical adsorption and chemical adsorption.This agrees with the flotation results.

Sodium sulfide leaching of low-grade jamesonite concentrate in production of sodium pyroantimoniate

Sodium sulfide leaching of a low-grade jamesonite concentrate in the production of sodium pyroantimoniate through the air oxidation process and the influencing factors on the leaching rate of antimony were investigated. In order to decrease the consumption of sodium sulfide and increase the concentration of antimony in the leaching solution, two-stage leaching of jamesonite concentrate and combination leaching of high-grade stibnite concentrate and jamesonite concentrate were used. The experimental results show that the consumptions of sodium sulfide for the two-stage leaching process and the combination leaching process are decreased by 20% and 60% compared to those of one-stage leaching process respectively. The final concentrations of antimony in the leaching solutions of both processes are above 100g/L.

Effect of Fe/SiO2 and CaO/SiO2 mass ratios on metal recovery rate and metal content in slag in oxygen-enriched direct smelting of jamesonite concentrate

The oxygen-enriched direct smelting of jamesonite concentrate was carried out at 1250℃by changing the slag composition.The effects of Fe/SiO2 and Ca O/SiO2 mass ratios on the metal recovery rate as well as metal content in slag were investigated.Experimental results indicated that the metal(Pb+Sb)recovery rate was up to 88.30%,and metal(Pb+Sb)content in slag was below 1 wt.%under the condition of slag composition of 21-22 wt.%Fe,19-20 wt.%SiO2 and 17-18 wt.%Ca O with Fe/SiO2 mass ratio of 1.1:1 and Ca O/SiO2 mass ratio of 0.9:1.The microanalysis of the alloy and slag demonstrated that the main phases in the alloy contained metallic Pb,metallic Sb and a small amount of Cu2 Sb and Fe Sb2 intermetallic compounds.The slag was mainly composed of kirschsteinite and fayalite.Zinc in the raw material was mainly oxidized into the slag phase in the form of zinc oxide.

Floc flotation of jamesonite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate

The hydrophobic flocculation of jamesonite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate was investigated using laser particle size analysis, microscope analysis, electrophoretic light scattering and infrared spectroscopy.Single minerals of 4.607 μm for the 50% volumetric diameters were researched by varying several parameters, including p H,ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate concentration, stirring strength and kerosene addition. It is found that the maximal floatability of jamesonite fines is induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate at p H 6, and the floc flotation increases with increasing ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate concentration despite a simultaneous increase in the negative ζ potential of jamesonite, meaning that hydrophobic interaction between the particles increases much more strongly than electric double layer repulsion from the adsorption of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate. It is also found that the floc flotation is closely correlated with the size of flocs,which is strongly influenced by the stirring strength and enhanced by the addition of a small amount of kerosene. The results of FTIR spectra indicate that adsorption of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate onto jamesonite is chemical adsorption and the adsorption product is lead dibutyl dithiophosphate.

Corrosive electrochemistry of jamesonite by cyclic voltammetry

The corrosive electrochemistry of jamesonite was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Every peak in voltammograms was identified through thermodynamic calculation. The results show an irreversible electrode process by the strong adsorption of oxidation elemental sulfur on jamesonite. A deficient-metal and sulfur-rich compound is formed under the potential of 80 mV at pH 6.86. The passive action by elemental sulfur occurs from 80 to 470 mV and S2O2-3, SO2-4 are produced at potential over 470 mV. The anodic peak producing SO2-4 is inhibited due to the deposition of PbSO4 at higher potential in Na2SO4 solution. The corrosive action of jamesonite becomes strong and the redox characterization similar to PbS, FeS and Sb2S3 appears at pH 9.18.

脆硫锑铅矿熔盐冶炼过程Fe反应行为研究

本文研究脆硫锑铅矿低温熔盐冶炼过程中Fe的反应行为。通过模拟脆硫锑铅矿在Na_(2)CO_(3)-NaCl熔盐体系熔炼过程中的Fe反应过程,采用XRD分析FeS、FeS_(2)与ZnO、碳粉在同一体系熔炼过程中Fe的反应行为,并通过SEM-EDS表征脆硫锑铅矿熔炼得到的铅锑合金表面及断面的Fe元素分布。结果表明:在973 K条件下FeS与ZnO发生置换反应形成FeO,FeS_(2)与Na_(2)CO_(3)反应形成FeS与Na_(2)S;在1 073 K条件下FeS和FeS_(2)与ZnO、碳粉发生还原反应形成单质Fe、Fe_(3)O_4与ZnS;在1 173 K条件下FeS和FeS_(2)与ZnO、碳粉反应产物主要有ZnS、Fe、Fe_(2)O_(3)与Fe_(3)O_4。随温度升高或反应时间延长,FeS和FeS_(2)中Fe元素逐步被氧化为Fe、Fe_(3)O_4、Fe_(2)O_(3);Fe最终主要以熔渣形式从反应系统中排出。本研究可为脆硫锑铅矿在Na_(2)CO_(3)-NaCl体系低温熔炼中研究Fe的反应行为提供科学依据。

Bioleaching of complex polymetallic sulfide ores by mixed culture

Bacterial leaching of single sulfide minerals and polymetallic sulfide ores was operated in shake flasks and small-scaled columns.The results show that bioleaching of jamesonite is not accessible,the iron extraction rate of pyrrhotite bioleaching reaches 98.2% after 26 d,and the zinc extraction rate of marmatite bioleaching reaches 92.3%,while the corresponding iron extraction reaches only 13.6% after 29 d.Pulp density has a significant effect on metal extraction of pyrrhotite and marmatite bioleaching.The corresponding metal extraction rate decreases with the increase of pulp density.For the polymetallic sulfide ores,zinc extraction of 97.1% is achieved after bioleaching in shake flasks for 10 d,while only 7.8% is obtained after bioleaching in small-scaled column.Analytical results of scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDX) reveal that large amount of calcium sulfate is formed on the mineral surface.

Highly enhanced thermoelectric and mechanical performance of copper sulfides via natural mineral in-situ phase separation

In situ phase separation precipitates play an important role in enhancing the thermoelectric properties of copper sulfides by suppressing phonon transmission.In this study,Cu1.8S composites were fabricated by melting reactions and spark plasma sintering.The complex structures,namely,micron-PbS,Sb_(2)S_(3),nano-FeS,and multiscale pores,originate from the introduction of FePb_(4)Sb_(6)S_(14)into the Cu1.8S matrix.Using effective element(Fe)doping and multiscale precipitates,the Cu_(1.8)S+0.5 wt%FePb_(4)Sb_(6)S_(14)bulk composite reached a high dimensionless figure of merit(ZT)value of 1.1 at 773 K.Furthermore,the modulus obtained for this sample was approximately 40.27 GPa,which was higher than that of the pristine sample.This study provides a novel strategy for realizing heterovalent doping while forming various precipitates via in situ phase separation by natural minerals,which has been proven to be effective in improving the thermoelectric and mechanical performance of copper sulfides and is worth promoting in other thermoelectric systems.