CLASSIFICATION OF MINERALS BASED ON THE ABILITY TO BE SUPPRESSED BY POLYMERS AT FLOTATION By Natalia Petrovskaya

The author of the classification is Natalia Petrovskaya, 2014-2017

Naturally polymers are used: as the depressor of minerals in flotation.

The most known naturally polymers are:

• Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)
• Starch (Amylum)
• Dextrin
• Guar gum (Guaran)
• Others

Advantages:
1. Polymers can separate some minerals.
2. Polymers can act in a wide range of pH and Eh, with undesirable ions in the pulp.

Disadvantages:
1. Experts are needed to create complex formulas for the use of polymers for each particular ore. Ready-made effective formulas practically do not exist.
2. The non-permanent composition of natural polymers significantly reduces the scope of their use.
3. Polymers have low selectivity and in excess can suppress all minerals.
4. Difficulties in storage (they are eaten by insects and animals).

 

Classification of minerals based on the ability to be suppressed by polymers at flotation:

1. Minerals of the 1st group are suppressed very easily: Actinolite, Benitoite, Biotite, Illite, Kaolinite, Muscovite, Phlogopite, Pyrophyllite, Sericite, Steatite and flotation active silicate minerals; Anhydrite, Gypsum; Molybdenite.

2. Minerals of 2nd group are easily suppressed, but worse than the minerals of group 1: Baryte, Calcite, Dolomite, Olivine, Zircon; Hematite, Hydrogoethite, Limonite, Magnetite and other iron oxides; Diopside, Enstatite, Spodumene; Apatite.

3. Minerals of 3rd group are suppressed worse than the minerals of groups 1 and 2: Chalcopyrite, Galena, Pyrite, Sphalerite and other sulphides.

4. Minerals of 4th group are hardly suppressed: Albite, Amazonite, Fluorite, Gold, Magnesite?, Microcline, Orthoclase, Quartz

You can contact us for advice: The consulting on concentration of minerals


You can buy some formulas and ready-made solutions:

SOLUTION 4. These flotation reagents can replace the polymers in the plants of the Americas

SOLUTION 9. The flotation of iron minerals. How manufacturers of the reagents can convince the Plant to buy and to use the starch?

SOLUTION 13. What are polymers, biopolymers, natural polymers in flotation

© Ph.D. Natalia Petrovskaya

December 3, 2017

nataliapetrovsky@gmail.com