Flocs Formation Mechanism in Hydrophobic Flocculation Flotation of Fine Wolframite

doi:10.12068/j.issn.1005-3026.2023.07.012

Abstract

Abstract: The flocs formation mechanism of fine wolframite is systematically studied by hydrophobic flocculation experiments， atomic force microscope analyses， and numerical simulations. The results show that sodium oleate induces the surface hydrophobicity of wolframite and further generate hydrophobic flocculation within pH 8.0~8.5， and the apparent particle size D₅₀ of the hydrophobic flocs of fine wolframite is positively correlated with sodium oleate concentration and stirring strength. There is a strong adhesion force between wolframite particles in the sodium oleate system， and the hydrophobic force is the main contribution component to the formation of hydrophobic flocs. The strong turbulent fluid environment formed in the stirring device contributes to the mutual contact and energy transfer of mineral particles， increasing the particle collision adhesion probability. The combination of high shear force and sodium oleate induced hydrophobic force can promote the formation of large and stable flocs of fine wolframite. The WO₃ recovery in the hydrophobic flocculation flotation of wolframite slimes increases by 12.04% compared with the conventional flotation.

Key words: wolframite; sodium oleate; hydrophobic flocculation; numerical simulation; fluid force field

CLC Number:

TD91

MENG Qing-you， YUAN Zhi-tao， YANG Jian-chao. Flocs Formation Mechanism in Hydrophobic Flocculation Flotation of Fine Wolframite[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Natural Science), 2023, 44(7): 1002-1008.

References

[1]孙传尧.矿产资源高效加工与综合利用(上册)［M］.北京:冶金工业出版社，2016.(Sun Chuan-yao.Efficient processing and comprehensive utilization of mineral resources (volume 1)［M］.Beijing:Metallurgical Industry Press，2016.)
[2]纪道河，王若林，杨勇祥，等.湖南某含钨多金属矿选矿试验研究［J］.矿冶工程，2020，40(6):65-67.(Ji Dao-he，Wang Ruo-lin，Yang Yong-xiang，et al.Experimental study on mineral processing of a tungsten-containing polymetallic ore in Hunan Province［J］.Mining and Metallurgical Engineering，2020，40(6):65-67.)
[3]Meng Q Y，Yuan Z T，Xu Y K，et al.The effect of sodium silicate depressant on the flotation separation of fine wolframite from quartz［J］.Separation Science and Technology，2018:54(8):1-11.
[4]付广钦，何晓娟，周晓彤.黑钨细泥浮选研究现状［J］.中国钨业，2010，25(1):22-25.(Fu Guang-qin，He Xiao-juan，Zhou Xiao-tong.The research progress of wolframite slime flotation［J］.China Tungsten Industry，2010，25(1):22-25.)
[5]Jailton J R，Jorge R.The FF (flocculation-flotation) process［J］.Minerals Engineering，2005，18:701-707.
[6]Wei S N，Rowan S，Elizaveta F，et al.Flocculation/flotation of hematite fines with anionic temperature-responsive polymer acting as a selective flocculant and collector［J］.Minerals Engineering，2015，77:64-71.
[7]Akdemir .Shear flocculation of fine hematite particles and correlation between flocculation，flotation and contact angle［J］.Powder Technology，1997，94:1-4.
[8]Yang P，Hu Z Z，Zi F T，et al.Synergistic enhancement of fine-kaolinite-particle hydrophobic agglomeration by combining dodecylamine with octanoic acid［J］.Minerals Engineering，2020，155:106444.
[9]Song S X，Zhang X W，Yang B Q，et al.Flotation of molybdenite fines as hydrophobic agglomerates［J］.Separation and Purification Technology，2012，98:451-455.
[10]邵亚瑞，石大新.微细粒黑钨矿剪切絮凝浮选研究［J］.有色金属，1985，38(2):40-45.(Shao Ya-rui，Shi Da-xin.Study on the shear-flocculation flotation of ultrafine wolframite［J］.Nonferrous Metals，1985，38(2):40-45.)
[11]Wang Z，Liu N Y，Zou D.Interface adsorption mechanism of the improved flotation of fine pyrite by hydrophobic flocculation［J］.Separation and Purification Technology，2021，275:119245.
[12]Zou S，Ma X，Wang S，et al.Flotation of rhodochrosite fines induced by octyl hydroxamic acid as hydrophobic agglomerates［J］.Powder Technology，2021，392:108-115.
[13]Hu Y H，Qiu G Z，Miller J D.Hydrodynamic interactions between particles in aggregation and flotation［J］.International Journal of Mineral Processing，2003，70(1/2/3/4):157-170.
[14]Sun W，Xie Z J，Hu Y H，et al.Effect of high intensity conditioning on aggregate size of fine sphalerite［J］.Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China，2008，18(2):438-443.
[15]孟庆有，袁致涛，马龙秋，等.油酸钠与微细粒黑钨矿的作用机理［J］.东北大学学报(自然科学版)，2018，39(4):599-603.(Meng Qing-you，Yuan Zhi-tao，Ma Long-qiu，et al.Interaction mechanism of sodium oleate with fine wolframite［J］.Journal of Northeastern University (Natural Science)，2018，39(4):599-603.)
[16]Israelachvili J，Adams G.Direct measurement of long range forces between two mica surfaces in aqueous KNO₃ solutions［J］.Nature，1976，262(5571):774-781.
[17]Lu S C，Song S X.Hydrophobic interaction in flocculation and flotation 1:hydrophobic flocculation of fine mineral particles in aqueous solution［J］.Colloids and Surfaces，1991，57:49-60.
[18]Meng Q Y，Feng Q M，Ou L M.Recovery enhancement of ultrafine wolframite through hydrophobic flocs magnetic separation［J］.Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review，2017，38:298-303.
[19]黄根.浮选调浆的界面效应及过程强化研究［D］.徐州:中国矿业大学，2014.(Huang Gen.Interfacial effect of flotation conditioning and process intensification［D］.Xuzhou:China University of Mining and Technology，2014.)