Effect of grinding media on the flotation behavior of fluorite using sodium oleate as a collector

Abstract

Grinding, an essential procedure before flotation, to some extent, determines the flotation behavior of minerals. In this study, the effect of grinding media on the flotation behavior of fluorite using sodium oleate (NaOl) as a collector was investigated via micro-flotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The results indicated that, compared with the fluorite particles ground by ceramic media, the ones ground by cast iron media adsorbed less NaOl, resulting in lower flotation recovery. The lower flotation recovery of fluorite particles ground by cast iron media resulted from the coating of the hydrophilic Fe precipitates generated in the grinding, including Fe(0), Fe(OH)2, and Fe(OH)3 on their surfaces. These Fe precipitates may cover the Ca active sites and increase the hydration membrane which can inhibit the further NaOl adsorption. This research reveals the effect of grinding media on the flotation behavior of fluorite and guides for media selection in disposing of fluorite ore.

Effects and Mechanisms of Grinding Media on the Flotation Behavior of Scheelite

“…Besides, in the case of CIB grinding, the calcium content on the scheelite surfaces is lower while the oxygen content is slightly higher than those in the case of CB grinding. These may be attributed to the galvanic reactions in CIB grinding, which consume the oxygen to form Fe–O species and cover the active calcium sites on the scheelite surfaces. ,, …”

“…These may be attributed to the galvanic reactions in CIB grinding, which consume the oxygen to form Fe−O species and cover the active calcium sites on the scheelite surfaces. 31,32,35 To identify the chemical states of Fe and O on the scheelite surfaces, the Fe2p2/3 and O1s narrow spectra of scheelite ground by CB and CIB in parallel were analyzed through peak fitting, and the results are shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6a, when the scheelite is ground by CIB, there are five different peaks in the spectra of Fe2p3/2.…”

An investigation into using benzohydroxamic acid as a collector for sulfide minerals

“…BHA is known for its ability to form strong chelates with metal ions (Adiguzel et al, 2017, Kozlov et al, 2013, Schraml, 2000. It has been evaluated as collector in froth flotation of wolframite (Liu et al, 2019, Yang et al, 2014, monazite and dolomite (Espiritu et al, 2018), cassiterite (Cao et al, 2020, ilmenite (Fang et al, 2018, smithsonite (Wang et al, 2017), malachite (Zhang et al, 2021), rutile (Cao et al, 2019), muscovite mica (He et al, 2018), scheelite (Han et al, 2017, Wei et al, 2020, and rhodochrosite (Cui et al, 2023) minerals, as well as including pyrochlore-bearing (Gibson et al, 2017, Gibson et al, 2015 and rare earth (Jordens et al, 2016) ores. The adsorption mechanism of hydroxamic acids on the mineral surfaces, which involves a combination of chemical and physical interactions, can vary depending on the type of mineral and frother, pH, temperature, and presence of other chemicals, such as metal cations in the flotation system (Khalil and Fazary, 2004, Pavez and Peres, 1993.…”