Abstract:The electrochemical reduction kinetics of lead butyl-xanthate on galena surface and butyl-dixanthogen on pyrite surface has been investigated. The results showed that overpotentials of lead butyl-xanthate on galena surface and butyl-dixanthogen on pyrite surface were 308 mV and 151 mV respectively, and exchange current densities were 1.1×10^-5A/m² and 1.28×10^-2A/m² respectively. The kinetic difference between galena and pyrite extended the separation potential from 50mV in thermodynamics to 207mV in kinetics, thus the results offer theoretical basis for electrochemical separation of galena and pyrite. The kinetic results have been proved by bulk concentrate separation of galena and pyrite by controlling the pulp potential over pH 9.18~9.5.

Key words: galena　pyrite　electrochemical floatation　electrochemical reduction kinetics