Abstract:The hydrophobic flocculation of marmatite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by butyl xanthate (KBX) and ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (ADD) was investigated using laser particle size analysis, microscopy analysis, electrophoretic light scattering, contact angle measurement and infrared spectroscopy. The studies were performed on single minerals with size ≤20 μm by varying several parameters, including pH, collector concentration and kerosene addition. The results show that the floc flotation closely correlated with the size of flocs and the particle hydrophobicity, but was not lowered with increasing the particle surface charges due to collector adsorption. Under good operating conditions, the floc flotation of marmatite fines as a function of KBX and ADD can all reach floatability over 90%, in comparison with conventional flotation obtaining floatability of about 60%. It also has been found that a small addition of kerosene greatly improved the floc flotation because of the formation of oil films on marmatite particles. The results of FTIR spectra indicate that adsorption of the two collectors onto marmatite were chemical adsorption.

Key words: hydrophobic flocculation; marmatite fines; zeta potential; contact angle; butyl xanthate (KBX); ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate (ADD); kerosene