National University of Science and Technology MISiS (Russia)

Nikolaev A. A., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor, nikolaevopr@mail.ru
Soe Thu, Postgraduate Student
Goryachev B. E., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Professor, Professor, beg@misis.ru

The paper presents the results of the studies on bubble-mineral attachment kinetics with sphalerite following this mineral conditioning in solutions of thiol collectors of these collectors. Sphalerite surface roughness was measured. Using a new method, attachment of sphalerite grains to a stationary air bubble was studied in the course of time. Potassium xanthate (BX), sodium dithiophosphate (Af) and their mixtures were used as collectors. Bubble-mineral attachment was studied with mixing of sphalerite suspension. Sphalerite grains attachment to a stationary air bubble was estimated by means of photographic images and also indirectly – through calculation of mineral attachment spherical segment area. Sphalerite grains size was –71+44 micron. It was established, that unactivated sphalerite surface demonstrates different flotation activity depending on pH, collector’s concentration, collectors ratio in their mixtures. In practice it results in different flotation kinetics. On the basis of the conducted study, it was established, that maximum specific work of air adhesion to unactivated sphalerite surface is observed with application of mixture 75 % BX – 25 % Af. In this case air bubble-mineral attachment area and intensity of this attachment were the greatest. This may be the reason for unactivated sphalerite increased recovery into froth product, as well as increased sphalerite flotation kinetics.
The work was performed with the financial support from the Federal Targeted Programme «Research and development in the trends of priority growth areas of the science and technology sector of the Russian Federation for 2014–2020», Project RFMEF157514X0085.

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