Abstract:A new double reverse flotation process was used to beneficiate the Yichang region collophanite of Hubei Province, China. Its final concentrate yield is 67.37%, P2O5 grade is 32.17%, P2O5 recovery is 87.80%, and the main impurities MgO, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 are 0.95%, 1.04%, 1.36%, respectively. The difficult problem was successfully solved that plentiful froths are bought by the cationic collector reverse flotation in collophanite beneficiation by adding inorganic froth regulator CA to the pulp. The defrothing mechanism was studied through mensurating surface tension and Zeta potential of the pulp after adding CA. It is found that the changing of surface tension and hoisting of Zeta potential may be the main reasons that froths become friable and break up.

Key words: collophanite ore; reverse flotation; defrothing