Flotation reagents play a crucial role in mineral processing, helping to regulate and control the flotation behavior of minerals. The most common reagents include collectors, frothers, regulators, and depressants. Below is a detailed overview of some frequently used flotation reagents:
Collectors enhance the hydrophobicity of mineral surfaces, increasing the attachment of mineral particles to air bubbles during flotation.
Chemical Properties: Xanthates are salts of dithiocarbonates, commonly including ethyl xanthate (C2H5OCS2Na) and isopropyl xanthate (C3H7OCS2Na).
Features: Strong collecting power but low selectivity, mainly used for sulfide minerals.
Applications: Suitable for the flotation of copper, lead, and zinc ores.
Data: In copper flotation, the dosage of ethyl xanthate ranges from 30-100 g/t, with recovery rates exceeding 90%.
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Chemical Properties: Dithiophosphates are salts of dithiophosphoric acid, such as sodium diethyl dithiophosphate (NaO2PS2(C2H5)2).
Features: Good balance between selectivity and collecting power, effective for sulfide ores of copper, lead, and zinc.
Applications: Used in the flotation of gold, silver, and copper ores.
Data: In gold ore flotation, dithiophosphates are applied at 20-80 g/t, achieving recovery rates above 85%.
Chemical Properties: Carboxylates contain carboxylic acid groups, such as sodium oleate (C18H33NaO2).
Features: Suitable for oxidized and non-metallic mineral flotation.
Applications: Used in the flotation of hematite, ilmenite, and apatite.
Data: In apatite flotation, sodium oleate is applied at concentrations of 50-150 g/t, with recovery rates around 75%.
Frothers promote the formation of stable and uniform bubbles during flotation, aiding in the attachment and separation of mineral particles.
Chemical Properties: Composed mainly of terpene compounds, offering excellent frothing capability.
Features: Strong frothing ability with good bubble stability.
Applications: Widely used for both sulfide and non-metallic minerals.
Data: In copper flotation, pine oil dosage is typically 10-50 g/t.
Chemical Properties: An alcohol compound with moderate frothing properties.
Features: Provides balanced frothing ability with stable foam.
Applications: Suitable for the flotation of copper, lead, and zinc minerals.
Data: In lead flotation, butanol is used at 5-20 g/t.
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Y&X’s frother Q80 is characterized by several key features that make it an attractive choice for mineral processing:
Regulators adjust the pH of the slurry, inhibit or activate mineral surfaces, enhancing flotation selectivity.
Chemical Properties: Mainly composed of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), used to control slurry pH.
Features: Can adjust slurry pH to a range of 10-12.
Applications: Extensively used in the flotation of copper, lead, and zinc ores.
Data: In copper flotation, lime is applied at concentrations of 500-2000 g/t.
Chemical Properties: Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is a strong oxidizer commonly used as an activator for sulfide minerals.
Features: Exhibits significant activation effects, particularly for pyrite flotation.
Applications: Used in the activation of copper, lead, and zinc ores.
Data: In lead flotation, copper sulfate is used at 50-200 g/t.
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Depressants suppress the flotation activity of certain minerals, enabling selective separation.
Chemical Properties: Sodium silicate is a compound containing silicates with dispersing and inhibiting properties.
Features: Effectively inhibits gangue minerals.
Applications: Applied in the flotation of copper, lead, and zinc ores to depress gangue minerals.
Data: In copper flotation, sodium silicate is used at concentrations of 100-500 g/t.
Chemical Properties: Sodium sulfide (Na2S) is a strong reducing agent commonly used to depress oxidized minerals.
Features: Highly effective in suppressing oxidation in copper minerals.
Applications: Used in the flotation of oxidized copper, lead, and zinc minerals.
Data: In oxidized copper flotation, sodium sulfide is applied at 50-150 g/t.
Flotation reagents come in many varieties, each with specific chemical properties and applications. Selecting and combining suitable reagents can significantly enhance flotation efficiency and product quality. Practical application requires choosing the optimal reagents and dosages based on ore characteristics, process requirements, and economic considerations.
Y&X Beijing Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in efficient, eco-friendly reagents for metal and non-metal ore beneficiation. With extensive experience in ores like copper, molybdenum, gold, silver, lead, zinc, nickel, magnesium, cobalt, palladium, bismuth, fluorite, and phosphate, we offer customized, advanced solutions to maximize your benefits. Committed to providing one-stop beneficiation services, we look forward to a successful partnership with you.
