3122 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
The highest copper recovery was obtained at pH 10, with
collector 2-OA being the highest at 80%, while the copper
recovery of PAX was 78%. A suitable high alkaline envi-
ronment enhances the inhibition of gangue minerals and
improves the selectivity for copper minerals. It is evident
that the flotation effect of collector 2-OA was better than
that of PAX, which may be attributed to the long carbon
chain that exhibits excellent hydrophobicity and the sulfur
and amino group that shows affinity to copper.
Effect of Pulp Density
The flotation efficiency can be improved by choosing an
optimum pulp density during flotation. The determination
of the optimum pulp density during flotation is related to
the properties of the ore and the flotation conditions. The
flotation effect of collector 2-OA and PAX on the cop-
per sulfide ore under pulp density of 5%, 10% and 20%
respectively was shown in Figure 6. It indicates that the
lower pulp density is more effective by using the collec-
tor 2-OA and PAX in the flotation of the copper sulfide
ore. Collector 2-OA is more strongly affected by pulp den-
sity than PAX. This is because when the pulp density is
increased, the stirring resistance of the flotation machine
increases, and it becomes difficult to properly inflate the
pulp, resulting in reduced copper recovery. Additionally,
excessive pulp density reduces the adsorption efficiency of
the collector, which leads to its incomplete adsorption dur-
ing the flotation of complex component ores.
Effect of Particle Size
The mineral particle size plays a significant role in the flo-
tation effect. Excessive coarse mineral particles and ultra-
fine mineral particles will result in low recovery during
flotation. A particle size below 75 μm that is commonly
adopted in laboratory experiments, and a smaller particle
size of –45 μm and a bigger particle size of –160 μm were
tested in this study. Figure 7 suggests that as the particle
size gets larger or smaller from the particle size of –75 μm,
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
10%, pH 9, collector dosage 10–200 g/t)
Figure 4. Effect of collector dosage using collector 2-OA and
PAX
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
10%, pH 6–10, collector dosage 100 g/t
Figure 5. Effect of pH using collector 2-OA and PAX
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
5–20%, pH 10, collector dosage 100 g/t)
Figure 6. Effect of pulp density using collector 2-OA and
PAX
The highest copper recovery was obtained at pH 10, with
collector 2-OA being the highest at 80%, while the copper
recovery of PAX was 78%. A suitable high alkaline envi-
ronment enhances the inhibition of gangue minerals and
improves the selectivity for copper minerals. It is evident
that the flotation effect of collector 2-OA was better than
that of PAX, which may be attributed to the long carbon
chain that exhibits excellent hydrophobicity and the sulfur
and amino group that shows affinity to copper.
Effect of Pulp Density
The flotation efficiency can be improved by choosing an
optimum pulp density during flotation. The determination
of the optimum pulp density during flotation is related to
the properties of the ore and the flotation conditions. The
flotation effect of collector 2-OA and PAX on the cop-
per sulfide ore under pulp density of 5%, 10% and 20%
respectively was shown in Figure 6. It indicates that the
lower pulp density is more effective by using the collec-
tor 2-OA and PAX in the flotation of the copper sulfide
ore. Collector 2-OA is more strongly affected by pulp den-
sity than PAX. This is because when the pulp density is
increased, the stirring resistance of the flotation machine
increases, and it becomes difficult to properly inflate the
pulp, resulting in reduced copper recovery. Additionally,
excessive pulp density reduces the adsorption efficiency of
the collector, which leads to its incomplete adsorption dur-
ing the flotation of complex component ores.
Effect of Particle Size
The mineral particle size plays a significant role in the flo-
tation effect. Excessive coarse mineral particles and ultra-
fine mineral particles will result in low recovery during
flotation. A particle size below 75 μm that is commonly
adopted in laboratory experiments, and a smaller particle
size of –45 μm and a bigger particle size of –160 μm were
tested in this study. Figure 7 suggests that as the particle
size gets larger or smaller from the particle size of –75 μm,
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
10%, pH 9, collector dosage 10–200 g/t)
Figure 4. Effect of collector dosage using collector 2-OA and
PAX
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
10%, pH 6–10, collector dosage 100 g/t
Figure 5. Effect of pH using collector 2-OA and PAX
(Flotation condition: particle size below 75 μm, pulp density
5–20%, pH 10, collector dosage 100 g/t)
Figure 6. Effect of pulp density using collector 2-OA and
PAX