Effect of Copper and Iron Ions on the Sulphidizing Flotation of Copper Oxide in Copper Smelting Slag

Abstract

e treatment of smelting slag has attracted much attention nowadays. is study investigates the influence of Na 2 S, CuSO 4 , and FeCl 3 on sulphidizing flotation of copper oxide. e results show that a proper Cu 2+ concentration can increase the sulphidizing effect of copper oxide, while Fe 3+ inhibits the sulphidizing effect. Further analysis shows that Cu 2+ ions can reduce the surface potential, increase the S 2− adsorption, then generate more polysulfide, and therefore promote the sulphidizing flotation. However, Fe 3+ ions would increase the surface potential, reduce the S 2− adsorption, generate more sulfur element, and therefore inhibit the sulphidizing flotation.