Reasearch On The Enhanced Flotation Separation Of Pegmatite Spodumite Ore

On account of the fact that the valuable mineral spodumene and the gangue mineral albite in pegmatite spodumite ore have feartures such as complex crystal structures,similar surface properties,the same surface active sites(Al³⁺)and poor selectivity with flotation reagents,the paper studied the relationship between the flotation behavior of differernt particle sizes minerals and their crystallochemical property;secondly,based on the understanding of the surface properties of mixed collectors,the flotation separation of spodumene and albite using mixed collectors,together with the underlying mechanism,were studied.Thirdly,based on theoretical research results,the technology of“stage grinding and stage separation-improved flotation separation using mixed collectors”for pegmatite spodumene ore in western Sichuan was developed to comprehensively recover the mica,spodumene and feldspar,respectively.This study will have a significant theoretical significance and practical guiding value not only on solving technical problems of flotation separation for complex pegmatite spodumene ore but also on improving guarantee extent and comprehensive utilization rate of lithium and other rare metals resources.Here are the main conclusions of the paper:1.The surface energy of spodumene?110?is the lowest,which is the cleavage surface and common exposed surface of spodumene.The surface energy of albite?010?and?001?surface is very low,which is the most common cleavage surface and explosive surface.The flotation recoveries of spodumene with different size fraction are in the order of 38-45?m>45-75?m>19-38?m>0-19?m,while the flotation recoveries of albite with different size fraction are in the order of 0-19?m>19-38?m>45-75?m>38-45?m.2.The mixed anionic/cationic collectors Na OL/DTAC and Na OL/TTPC have better suface activity than single collectors.The best molar ratio and p H for the mixed collector Na OL/DTAC to flotation separation of spodunene and albite are 9:1 and 8.5,respecti vely,while for Na OL/TTPC,the molar ratio and p H are 5:1 and 4.0,respectively.3.Through the technology of“stage grinding and stage separation-improved flotation separation using mixed collectors”for pegmatite spodumene ore in western Sichuan,the c omprehensively recovery of mica,spodumene and feldspar were achieved with a mica concentrate recovery of5.26%,and Li₂O grade and recovery for spodumene concentrates of 6.20%and 87.34%,respectively.