Research Of The Effect Of Slime On The Flotation Behavior Of Smithsonite

The most effective method of flotation of zinc oxide mineral is ―sulfide-amine method‖,but the flotation effect of this method is greatly affected by slime.In view of the effect of slime on the flotation of zinc oxide mineral,this paper through four kinds of single minerals flotation test and artificial mixed mineral flotation test to study the influence of slime on the flotation behavior of smithsonite.The mechanism of the effect of slime on the flotation behavior of smithsonite was studied by combining the turbidity test、specific surface area and pore distribution test、adsorption test of flotation agent 、 surface charge distribution test 、 SEM and EDS analysis.The conclusions of the study were as follows:The influence of slime on the flotation behavior of smithsonite was studied,the results show that: under the condition of ―sulfide-amine method‖ flotation,the floatability of smithsonite and calcite slime were well and the floatability of kaolinite slime and limonite slime were poor.The strong-to-weak sequence of the four kinds of minerals’ s floatability were smithsonite> calcite slime> kaolinite slime> limonite slime.The three kinds of slimes were not conducive to the flotation of smithsonite,the more the slime content,the greater impact to the smithsonite.Calcite slime does not inhibit the flotation of smithsonite,but calcite slime will reduce the Zn grade of concentrate;kaolinite slime and limonite slime will inhibit the flotation of smithsonite,while they can reduce the Zn grade and recovery of concentrate.The strong-to-weak inhibit sequence of the three kinds of slimes on the flotation of smithsonite were kaolinite slime> limonite slime > calcite slime.The effect mechanism of slime on the flotation behavior of smithsonite was studied,the results show that: slime through the ―affecting the collector adsorption on smithsonite‖ and ―slime coating‖ two aspects to affect the flotation of smithsonite.As the slime has the large surface area and strong surface electronegativity,the three kinds of slimes have a competitive adsorption on the dodecylamine,reducing the adsorption amount of dodecylamine on the smithsonite surface.The phenomenon called slime coating was occurred between three kinds of slimes and smithsonite,the more slime content with more serious phenomenon of slime coating.Zeta potential test show that: the smithsonite was more easily to attract with kaolinite slime and limonite slime.