Flotation of lead-activated rutile using amyl xanthate as a collector

• Published in: Mining engineering Vol. 72; no. 1; pp. 48 - 49
• Main Authors: Yu, Xingcai, Cao, Qinbo, Zou, Heng, Peng, Qianshan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Littleton Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Adsorption; Collectors; Experimental methods; Flotation; Heavy metals; Hydroxamic acid; Ions; Lead; Methods; Mining engineering; Nitrates; Phosphonic acids; Quartz; Research methodology; Rutile; Slurries; Titanium; China
• ISSN: 0026-5187
• DOI: 10.1007/s42461-019-00106-7

Rutile ore is an important resource for the production of titanium products, and flotation is an efficient method to enrich rutile from its deposits. Motivated by strong commercial demand for titanium metal and alloys, substantial efforts have been made to improve the flotation efficiency of rutile. Styryl phosphonic acid (SPA) and salicyl hydroxamic acid (SHA) are commonly used as collectors for rutile flotation, and lead (Pb) ions can be used as activators for rutile flotation with SPA or SHA. Xanthates have a price advantage over SPA and SHA for the flotation of sulfides as SPA and SHA prices are higher than xanthate prices. In this work, we found that when rutile is activated by lead ions, amyl xanthate is an efficient collector for rutile flotation at pH 8. A slightly basic slurry can be readily obtained. Moreover, the price of amyl xanthate is lower than that of SPA or SHA. In this regard, this flotation strategy has the potential to be used in industry. Furthermore, the adsorption features of amyl xanthate on the Pb-activated rutile surface was investigated by experimental methods, which provides insight into the role of lead ions in rutile flotation.