2586 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
demonstrated less water penetration compared to the tra-
ditional scheme. Considering Equation (2), a larger water
penetration corresponds to a larger value for cosθ, indicative
of a smaller contact angle. Therefore, both reagent schemes
contributed to the improvement of surface hydrophobic-
ity. However, CustoFloat 390 induced a more pronounced
hydrophobicity on the phosphate surfaces.
It is important to note that the slopes of the fitting lines
were not consistently uniform, potentially owing to system
errors or the re-dissolution of reagents in water, leading
to variations in liquid properties. Nevertheless, given the
closely aligned results, these discrepancies can be deemed
negligible in the context of the overall findings.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the introduction of a novel reagent scheme
based on Arkema-ArrMaz CustoFloat 390 proved to be
successful in eliminating additives, including pH modifiers
and fuel oil/diesel, during sedimentary phosphate flotation.
Flotation kinetics and wettability characterization were
employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the
superiority of CustoFloat 390 over traditional fatty acids.
The following key findings can be concluded:
1. The CustoFloat 390 scheme exhibited satisfactory
separation performance without the need for fuel
oil or diesel and pH modifiers, contrasting with
the conventional phosphate processing flowsheet.
2. Implementation of these new reagent schemes not
only streamlined the phosphate flotation process
but also contributed to its enhanced sustainability
and environmental friendliness.
3. CustoFloat 390 consistently demonstrated higher
efficiency in flotation compared to the traditional
fatty acid scheme.
4. The observed increase in hydrophobicity of phos-
phate with CustoFloat 390 compared to the tra-
ditional scheme elucidates the underlying mecha-
nism driving the performance difference.
These findings collectively underscore the promising poten-
tial of CustoFloat 390 as a more efficient, sustainable, and
environmentally friendly alternative in the sedimentary
phosphate flotation process.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Arkema for providing lab support.
Special thanks are due to Luz Colon-Gonzalez, Tina
m2(no reagent) =0.34t -0.51
m2(FA-1) =0.33x -0.57
m2(CF 390) =0.32x -0.59
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Time, min
No reagent FA-1 CF 390
Linear (No reagent) Linear (FA-1) Linear (CF 390)
Figure 5. Square penetrated water mass as the function of penetration time in phosphate powder bed
m2
-2
g2)
demonstrated less water penetration compared to the tra-
ditional scheme. Considering Equation (2), a larger water
penetration corresponds to a larger value for cosθ, indicative
of a smaller contact angle. Therefore, both reagent schemes
contributed to the improvement of surface hydrophobic-
ity. However, CustoFloat 390 induced a more pronounced
hydrophobicity on the phosphate surfaces.
It is important to note that the slopes of the fitting lines
were not consistently uniform, potentially owing to system
errors or the re-dissolution of reagents in water, leading
to variations in liquid properties. Nevertheless, given the
closely aligned results, these discrepancies can be deemed
negligible in the context of the overall findings.
CONCLUSION
In this study, the introduction of a novel reagent scheme
based on Arkema-ArrMaz CustoFloat 390 proved to be
successful in eliminating additives, including pH modifiers
and fuel oil/diesel, during sedimentary phosphate flotation.
Flotation kinetics and wettability characterization were
employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the
superiority of CustoFloat 390 over traditional fatty acids.
The following key findings can be concluded:
1. The CustoFloat 390 scheme exhibited satisfactory
separation performance without the need for fuel
oil or diesel and pH modifiers, contrasting with
the conventional phosphate processing flowsheet.
2. Implementation of these new reagent schemes not
only streamlined the phosphate flotation process
but also contributed to its enhanced sustainability
and environmental friendliness.
3. CustoFloat 390 consistently demonstrated higher
efficiency in flotation compared to the traditional
fatty acid scheme.
4. The observed increase in hydrophobicity of phos-
phate with CustoFloat 390 compared to the tra-
ditional scheme elucidates the underlying mecha-
nism driving the performance difference.
These findings collectively underscore the promising poten-
tial of CustoFloat 390 as a more efficient, sustainable, and
environmentally friendly alternative in the sedimentary
phosphate flotation process.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank Arkema for providing lab support.
Special thanks are due to Luz Colon-Gonzalez, Tina
m2(no reagent) =0.34t -0.51
m2(FA-1) =0.33x -0.57
m2(CF 390) =0.32x -0.59
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Time, min
No reagent FA-1 CF 390
Linear (No reagent) Linear (FA-1) Linear (CF 390)
Figure 5. Square penetrated water mass as the function of penetration time in phosphate powder bed
m2
-2
g2)