Combinations of different-class collectors in selective sulphide-ore flotation

The primary coexisting mineral with galena is sphalerite. Hence, it is critical to selectively separate galena from sphalerite by flotation. In this work, thiourea and related derivatives as potential flotation collectors for separating galena from sphalerite were investigated. Thiourea and its related derivatives were found to be effective selective collectors in batch flotation studies of a single mineral, with 1,1-diphenylthiourea (11DTA) emerging as the best choice. Galena has superior floatability compared to sphalerite in the presence of 11DTA, and the recovery difference between the two minerals at pH 8 (where the 11DTA concentration is 5 × 10−6 mol/L) is around 38%. This was revealed in batch flotation studies using artificial mixed minerals. Moreover, the findings from the measurements of adsorption amount, FTIR, zeta potential and XPS revealed that 11DTA has a strong adsorption on galena yet a relatively weak adsorption on sphalerite. Additionally, DFT calculations demonstrated that sphalerite exhibits stronger hydrophilicity than galena, and 11DTA possessed a better affinity for galena.

Sulfide Minerals

Lead sulfide

10.3390/min13060759

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Citations (2)

Electrochemical passivation of sphalerite during bacterial oxidation in the presence of galena

Minerals Engineering (2003)

Gabriel da Silva Manuel Lastra J.R. Budden

Sulfide Minerals

Passivation

Galvanic cell

10.1016/s0892-6875(03)00010-4

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Citations (58)

The effect of thiol collector mixtures on the flotation of pyrite and galena

Minerals Engineering (2013)

B. McFadzean S.S. Mhlanga C.T. O’Connor

Xanthate

Dithiocarbamate

Froth flotation

10.1016/j.mineng.2013.06.018

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Citations (38)

Use of surface complexation models in sulphide mineral flotation

International Journal of Mineral Processing (1997)

Willis Forsling Zhong-Xi Sun

Xanthate

Mineral processing

Froth flotation

Carbonate Ion

10.1016/s0301-7516(97)00020-3

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Citations (20)

Selective Flotation of Pyrite from Galena Using Chitosan with Different Molecular Weights

Minerals (2019)

Wanjia Zhang Wei Sun Yuehua Hu Jian Cao Zhiyong Gao

Pyrite is a major gangue mineral associated with galena and other valuable minerals, and it is necessary to selectively remove pyrite to upgrade the lead concentrate by froth flotation. In this study, the flotation experiments of a single mineral and mixed minerals were performed using chitosan with different molecular weights (MW = 2−3, 3−6, 10 and 100 kDa) as a depressant, ethyl xanthate as a collector, and terpineol as a frother, in a bid to testify the separation of pyrite from galena. Flotation results showed that the selective flotation of pyrite from galena can be achieved under the preferred reagent scheme, i.e., 400 g/t chitosan (10 kDa), 1600 g/t ethyl xanthate, and 100 g/t terpineol, while chitosan with other molecular weights cannot. Furthermore, the results of the zeta potential and contact angle measurements revealed that chitosan (10 kDa) has a strong adsorption on galena yet a very weak adsorption on pyrite at the dosage of 400 g/t. This study showed that chitosan (10 kDa) has great potential in the industrial flotation separation of pyrite from lead concentrates.

Xanthate

Depressant

Froth flotation

Gangue

Zeta potential

10.3390/min9090549

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Citations (23)