Selective separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite with a novel and non-hazardous depressant reagent scheme
Pyrite depression in xanthate flotation of multiple sulphide minerals has become a serious problem in every mineral industry. The present study introduces a novel and non-hazardous depressant reagent scheme in selective flotation of chalcopyrite from pyrite with sodium butyl xanthate (SBX) as the collector. The combined inhibitory effect of an organic polymer, tricarboxylate sodium starch (TCSS), and calcium oxide (CaO) depressed the flotation of pyrite more strongly than that of the chalcopyrite in a wide pH range of 7–12. The synergistic effect of CaO and TCSS achieved an improved selective flotation separation of chalcopyrite from pyrite at low alkaline pH of 9, for which the recovery of chalcopyrite was over 80% and that of pyrite was less than 19%. The IR spectral, XPS spectral, UV–vis spectral and zeta potential measurements indicated that the surface of pyrite adsorbed significantly more amount of CaO and TCSS than that of the chalcopyrite. The dissolved calcium species preferentially adsorbed on the pyrite surface decreasing its negative charge and promoting TCSS adsorption. The findings of this research are of great significance in reducing the consumption of larger doses of lime in conventional Cu–Fe flotation circuits of the copper industry.
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）