Influence of lead ion pretreatment surface modification on reverse flotation separation of fluorite and calcite. (1st September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Ruofan; Liu, Dan; Li, Yaohong; Wang, Daqian; Wen, Shuming
• Is Part Of: Minerals engineering. Volume 171(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-01
• Subjects: Surface modification -- Lead ion -- Pretreatment -- Fluorite -- Calcite -- Reverse flotation; Mines and mineral resources -- Periodicals; Ressources minérales -- Périodiques; Mines and mineral resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6875

Abstract

Highlights: Lead ion adsorption ability is strong on the surface of calcite, but poor on the surface of fluorite. The adsorption mechanism of lead ions on the surface of fluorite and calcite was discussed. Lead ion pretreatment is beneficial to the adsorption of KIAX on the surface of calcite. Abstract: The flotation separation of fluorite and calcite poses a long-standing challenge in the mineral processing industry. Conventional flotation exhibits a poor separation for high-calcite-type fluorite ores. In this study, solution chemical calculations and lead ion adsorption experiments were performed to test the effects and mechanisms of lead ion pretreatment surface modification on the reverse flotation separability of fluorite and calcite. The effect of lead ion pretreatment was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Reverse flotation experiments to separate fluorite and calcite were designed and the results were analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The flotation results showed that the grade of the fluorite concentrate significantly improved after surface modification via lead ion pretreatment compared with that prior to pretreatment. Results of the solution chemical calculations, lead ion adsorption experiments, XPS, FT-IR and ToF-SIMS analyses showed that a large number of lead ions adsorbed on the calcite surface during the modification process and precipitates formed, including those of Pb3 (CO3 )2 (OH)2 and Pb(OH)2, which enhanced the adsorption of calcite and the collector. In contrast, the adsorption capacity of lead ions on the surface of fluorite was poor and had little effect on the fluorite surface composition. These results provide a theoretical basis and promising new strategy for the reverse flotation separation of fluorite and calcite.