Amphiphilic cellulose and surfactant mixtures as green frothers in mineral flotation. 2. Flotation of chalcopyrite and Cu-containing tailings

Amphiphilic cellulose and surfactant mixtures as green frothers in mineral flotation. 1. Characterization of interfacial and foam stabilization properties

“…All the above-mentioned characteristics offered by PS-mixtures have been recognized as possible benefits for froth flotation, provided an adequate level of control be enforced in the process. In the second part of this article series, these potential benefits are further studied using the flotation of chalcopyrite and Cu-containing tailings as case studies [36].…”

“…Therefore, the possible improvements resulting from the observed self-stabilization effect of these PS-mixtures need to be unequivocally established through experiments with mineral species. Thus, the froth flotation performance as well as the effect of entrainment in the presence of these PS-mixtures are the focus of the second part of this manuscript series [36].…”

“…With this characterization study, it is aimed to gain an understanding on the adsorption behavior of the PS-mixture and its implications on the air-liquid interfacial properties with an outlook on froth flotation. The analysis of PS-mixtures is further expanded in the second part of this series, where froth flotation performance is analyzed with experiments on chalcopyrite and Cucontaining tailings [36].…”

On the Colloidal Behavior of Cellulose Nanocrystals as a Hydrophobization Reagent for Mineral Particles

“… 1 , 2 Regarding the latter, one approach that remains relatively unexplored is the use of environmentally friendly reagents in concentrator plants. As it has been recently reported, cellulose derivatives have shown the potential to improve flotation processes as frothers 3 − 5 and some examples of high flotation recoveries have been reported with the use of modified nanocellulose collectors for silicates and sulfide minerals. 6 − 9 However, it is expected that the use of insoluble reagents with colloidal morphologies introduces fundamentally new features to the hydrophobization mechanisms of mineral surfaces and the performance of flotation processes.…”

“…Despite its extensive use, the froth flotation process currently faces increasing challenges, ranging from decreasing ore grades to concerns related to the environmental impact of mining operations. , Regarding the latter, one approach that remains relatively unexplored is the use of environmentally friendly reagents in concentrator plants. As it has been recently reported, cellulose derivatives have shown the potential to improve flotation processes as frothers − and some examples of high flotation recoveries have been reported with the use of modified nanocellulose collectors for silicates and sulfide minerals. − However, it is expected that the use of insoluble reagents with colloidal morphologies introduces fundamentally new features to the hydrophobization mechanisms of mineral surfaces and the performance of flotation processes. While traditional collectors are water-soluble molecules that hydrophobize minerals by selective adsorption, hydrophobization with nanoparticles is based on the formation of stable mineral–nanoparticle aggregates .…”