A novel collector for high-sulfur bauxite flotation desulfurization

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 86 - 100
• Main Authors: Cheng, Gan, Zhang, Jianqiang, Su, Huanhuan, Zhang, Zhanyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Bauxite; Bayer process; collector; Desulfurization; Desulfurizing; Emulsion polymerization; Emulsions; Flotation; flotation desulfurization; Functional groups; Lignin; Monomers; Nanoparticles; Natural polymers; Polymerization; Polymers; Potassium; Pyrite; Sodium; Sodium dodecyl sulfate; Sodium lauryl sulfate; Sulfur; Sulphur
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2022.2103000

Effective desulfurization of high-sulfur bauxite is one of the major problems in the alumina production industry. To overcome this, a novel nanoparticle collector (NC) to improve the desulfurization performance during flotation process was synthesized via emulsion polymerization method, whereby lignin (natural polymer) was used as the host monomer. The NC's syntheses, desulfurization performance, characterization tests, and adsorption on pyrite were studied. Results showed that the optimum conditions for the syntheses of NC (average particle size of 252.5 nm) were at mass ratio of lignin (host monomer), potassium butyl xanthate (functional group) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (emulsifier) of 1:20:2, and reaction temperature of 70°C. NC showed better flotation performance (maximum desulfurization), and shorter flowsheet, compared to common collectors. On a different note, tests suggested that NCs were uniformly adsorbed on the surface of pyrite via physico-chemical way.