Enhancing the Difference of Flotation Properties of Nonferrous Metal Sulfides Using Sulfhydryl Collecting Agents with Different Molecular Structures
V. A. IGNATIKINA, V. A. BOCHAROV, F. G. D’YACHKOV
National University of Science and Technology MISiS, Leninskii pr. 4, Moscow, 119049 Russia
Keywords: flotation, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, xanthate, thiocarbamate, di-thiophosphate, combination of collecting agents, di-thiophosphinate, floatability, adsorption velocity constants, difference, surface compounds
Abstract
The article reports data of analysis of surface compounds on galena, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. By X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy, the authors find the oxidability series: PbS ≈ ZnS < CuFeS2. Sphalerite has the largest amount of free water in the surface layer. The frother and nonfrother flotation experiments show that floatability of monomineral fraction of galena is higher in neutral medium at sulfhydryl agent concentration under 10–4 mole/l. In alkaline medium floatability of galena grows with increasing concentration of sulfhydryl agents, which degrades selectivity of flotation. Galena recovery is the highest with butyl xanthate and di-isobutyl di–thiophosphinate. Tests of adsorption use the method of isomolar series and nonfrother flotation conditions. Constants of adsorption velocity are calculated at different ratios of strong (butyl xanthate) and weak (thiocarbamate) agents for galena, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. If thiocarbamate prevails, the adsorption velocity constant grows, and so does recovery of chalcopyrite as against galena and sphalerite. The experimental results agree well with the data of production research of samples from Stepnoe and Rubtsovskoe polymetallic ore deposits.
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