Cairo University, Giza, Arab Republic of Egypt:

El-Midany A. A., Professor, PhD in Mining Engineering, Professor, aelmidany@gmail.com

King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

Arafat Y., Graduate Student, MSc in Chemical Engineering, engr.arafat111@yahoo.com

Bisha University, Bisha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

El-Mofty S. E., Vice Dean, PhD in Mining Engineering, Professor, selmofty@ub.edu.sa

Oleic acid and sodium dodecyl sulphate are among those collectors that have been used in phosphate flotation circuits. Their ability to work even at highly acidic pH, which is the common practice in phosphate reverse flotation, is an advantage. Previously, the authors tested a mixture of oleic acid (Ol) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for upgrading low-grade phosphate ore in terms of the collector dosage, pH, and ratio of the oleic and SDS mixture. It has been found that using a mixture of both collectors with the 1:1 ratio gives the best results. This article describes the use of infrared spectroscopy methods to study the interactions of each collector or their mixture with phosphate ore and with each other. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectra show that the emergence and reduction of some peaks or even generation of a new peak may enhance the hydrophobicity or collecting power of a surfactant mixture. That is why the Ol–SDS mixture is better in producing a higher-grade concentrate than that produced using each collector individually.

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