Abstract: The flotation behavior of diatomite， albite and quartz was studied using laurylamine as the collector， and the acting mechanism of the collector with the minerals was analyzed by Zeta potential measuring and FTIR spectrum analyzing methods. The mineral flotation test results indicate that the recoveries of the albite and quartz were above 92 wt.% and 97 wt.%， and the recovery of diatomite was below 5 wt.%， in a slurry of pH ranging from 55 to 105 at a laurylamine concentration of 238×10-4mol/L. Zeta potential analysis indicates that the action between the laurylamine and the diatomite surfaces in a slurry of pH ranging from 55 to 105 is weaker than that between the laurylamine and albite/quartz sufaces， which confirms the flotation results of the minerals. The IR spectrum analysis shows that hydrogen bond and electrostatic adsorptions occur between the laurylamine and the diatomite， albite and quartz surfaces in a slurry of pH 55. However， these actions between the laurylamine and the diatomite surfaces are weaker than those between the laurylamine and albite/quartz sufaces， resulting in its bad floatability.

Key words: diatomite purification, laurylamine, flotation, adsorption mechanism, recovery