Selective Flotation Between Smithsonite And Limonite

In order to use refractory high-iron zinc oxide mines effectively, the researches on separation of smithsonite and limonite were carried out. The basic flotation behavior of smithsonite and limonite, the effects of different regulators and metal ions on flotation of smithsonite and limonite and the mechanism of the flotation behavior of smithsonite and limonite were investigated by pure mineral tests, artificial mixed minerals tests, zeta potential tests, FTIR and solution chemistry calculation. The main conclusions of the thesis are as follows.The results of pure mineral tests indicate that the optimum pH value of smithsonite flotation ranges from6to12by using octadecylamine as collector. The floatability of limonite is poor under the condition of high pH.The effects of metal ions on depressing smithsonite are ordered:Fe(Ⅲ)>Zn(Ⅱ)>Pb(Ⅱ)>Fe(Ⅱ). Zn(Ⅱ), Ca(Ⅱ), Fe(Ⅲ), Fe(Ⅱ)and Pb(Ⅱ) can promote the floatability of limonite. Sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium silicate, starch and sodium humate can eliminate the effects of Zn(Ⅱ) and Fe(Ⅲ) on smithsonite flotation. Sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium silicate, starch and sodium humate can activate limonite after effected by Zn(Ⅱ) and can eliminate the effect of Fe(Ⅲ) on limonite.The tests of artificial mixed minerals indicates that smithsonite and limonite can effectively separated by using sodium hexametaphosphate as dispersant firstly and then using sodium silicate or starch or sodium humate as depressant. Good separation effect of artificial mixed minerals can be achieved by using sodium silicate as dispersant firstly and then using starch as depressant as well. However, smithsonite and limonite can not be well separated by using the reagents alone.The zeta potential tests shows that the zeta potentials of smithsonite and limonite become more negative and the IEP of smithsonite and limonite decrease after treating by Na2S. The result of FTIR is that octadecylamine physically adsorbed on smithsonite and limonite after treating by Na2S. The calculation of solution chemistry shows that the activation or depression of metal ion on smithsonite and limonite can be influenced by dominant component of metal ion at the balance point of system.