Selective Flotation Between Smithsonite And Calcite

Smithsonite is one of the most important mineral of zinc oxide which calcite and other carbonate minerals symbiosis with. The flotation separation of smithsonite and calcite is still a problem need to solve though lots of researches have been done. The effect of inorganic inhibitors and ions on the process of flotation separation between smithsonite and calcite were studied by monomineral and actual ore flotation, IR, absorption measurement, potentiodynamic test. The main research contents and results are as follows:Monomineral flotation tests show the collector YN-1 which has awful selectivity is a good collector for smithsonite and calcite. SHMP and sodium silicate used for minerals inhibition will generate differences in floatability between smithsonite and calcite which still can not achieve separation. The inhibiting effect caused by SHMP to calcite is strengthened because of calcium, while the effect is weakened to smithsonite. It expands the differences in floatability obviously between smithsonite and calcite which will achieve separation.Actual ore flotation achieve flotation separation between smithsonite and calcite. The floatation pulp was modified by S1,S2,S3 which play an important part in process. The result got the ideal aim of zinc recovery 71.36% and tenor 29%.Property of mineral surface studies show SHMP will not adsorb on the surface of calcite but dissolve selectively calcium, which will achieve inhibition because of no adsorption point by collector. Calcium and carbonate ion will recrystal in calcite ore pulp while spontaneous crystal bud in smithsonite ore pulp. The different action styles lead to stronger inhibition to calcite while weaker to smithsonite by SHMP, which strengthen selective of inhibition.