Study of the natural floatability of molybdenite fines in saline solutions and effect of gypsum precipitation
Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
The floatability of molybdenite fines in saline solutions was investigated through microflotation studies using a modified Hallimond tube. In addition, the effect of pH and gypsum precipitation from calcium ions (Ca2 ) and sulfate ions (SO42-) ions in saline water on the recovery of the molybdenite was analyzed. It was found that the floatability of molybdenite fines significantly increased with the ionic strength of the saline solutions and is independent of pH above 0.5 mol/L ionic strength. The high floatability of molybdenite in saline solutions is explained as being due to the low electrostatic repulsion between bubbles and the edges of molybdenite particles, which is exceeded by interactions due to van der Waals and hydrophobic forces. The precipitation of Ca2 and SO42- ions as gypsum had a detrimental effect on the natural floatability of molybdenite because of gypsum crystal attachment on the faces of the molybdenite particles. This precipitation phenomenon may be initiated in copper-molybdenite flotation circuits that use recycled saline water, like seawater containing Ca2 and SO42- ions. Copyright 2015, Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Inc.
The floatability of molybdenite fines in saline solutions was investigated through microflotation studies using a modified Hallimond tube. In addition, the effect of pH and gypsum precipitation from calcium ions (Ca2%2b) and sulfate ions (SO42-) ions in saline water on the recovery of the molybdenite was analyzed. It was found that the floatability of molybdenite fines significantly increased with the ionic strength of the saline solutions and is independent of pH above 0.5 mol/L ionic strength. The high floatability of molybdenite in saline solutions is explained as being due to the low electrostatic repulsion between bubbles and the edges of molybdenite particles, which is exceeded by interactions due to van der Waals and hydrophobic forces. The precipitation of Ca2%2b and SO42- ions as gypsum had a detrimental effect on the natural floatability of molybdenite because of gypsum crystal attachment on the faces of the molybdenite particles. This precipitation phenomenon may be initiated in copper-molybdenite flotation circuits that use recycled saline water, like seawater containing Ca2%2b and SO42- ions. Copyright 2015, Society for Mining, Metallurgy %26 Exploration Inc.
