Evaluation of the effect of the main parameters on chalcopyrite flotation in the presence of kaolinite and montmorillonite

Abstract

Clay minerals are known to negatively affect sulfur flotation. In the present study, the effect of clay minerals (kaolinite-montmorillonite) on chalcopyrite flotation was investigated and it was aimed to propose solutions to eliminate the negative effects. In the experimental studies, ζ-potential measurements and flotation experiments were carried out. The central composite design method was used in the flotation experiments and the independent variables were selected as frother concentration, dispersant concentration, froth height, air flow rate and amount of clay. In the evaluation of the test results, 5 important variables were determined as dependent variables. While the chalcopyrite grade decreased as the amount of clay increased, and chalcopyrite recovery, pyrite recovery and dynamic froth stability increased. The negative interaction order was determined as montmorillonite>kaolinite in terms of chalcopyrite flotation. Larger bubble diameter was obtained with montmorillonite. The flotation conditions that can be applied for the clay type (kaolinite and montmorillonite) found in the ore are mathematically modeled. Thus, the changes of the conditions in the model depending on the clay ratio that changes over time in the ore and the predictability of the grade-recovery values that can be obtained as a result of flotation will be ensured.

Keywords

clay minerals / dynamic froth stability / flotation / response surface model / ζ-potential

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