Floc flotation of marmatite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by butyl xanthate and ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate

The hydrophobic flocculation of marmatite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by butyl xanthate （KBX） and ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate （ADD） was investigated using laser particle size analysis, microscopy analysis, electrophoretic light scattering, contact angle measurement and infrared spectroscopy. The studies were performed on single minerals with size 〈20 μm by varying several parameters, including pH, collector concentration and kerosene addition. The results show that the floc fotation closely correlated with the size of flocs and the particle hydrophobicity, but was not lowered with increasing the particle surface charges due to collector adsorption. Under good operating conditions, the floc flotation of marmatite fines as a function of KBX and ADD can all reach floatability over 90%, in comparison with conventional flotation obtaining floatability of about 60%. It also has been found that a small addition of kerosene greatly improved the floc flotation because of the formation of oil films on marmatite particles. The results of FTIR spectra indicate that adsorption of the two collectors onto marmatite were chemical adsorption.

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.