Surface pretreatment effect on the separation and purification of magnesite and dolomite

Abstract

Surface pretreatment can change the surface properties of minerals, placing them in either a favorable or an unfavorable state for flotation. To solve the separation problem associated with magnesite and dolomite, surface pretreatment experiments with citric acid, tartaric acid, and tannic acid (TA) on magnesite and dolomite as well as flotation experiments on pretreated samples were performed in this study. Experimental results demonstrated that when citric acid and tartaric acid are used for surface pretreatment, the separation effect of magnesite and dolomite is poor. However, when TA is used, the separation effect of magnesite and dolomite improves. SEM and BET analysis indicated that surface pretreatment with TA changes the surface morphology of the two minerals, resulting in additional concave pores on the dolomite surface, and a significant increase in pore size and specific surface area. The adsorption quantity test and contact angle measurement demonstrated that after surface pretreatment with TA, the magnesite adsorption capacity on sodium oleate (NaOL) slightly decreases and the dolomite adsorption capacity on NaOL considerably decreases. XPS detection concluded that the surface pretreatment of TA on the magnesite surface mainly relies on physical adsorption with weak adsorption ability and poor ability to act on Mg sites. The TA surface pretreatment action on the dolomite surface is mainly through chemical adsorption, and it is strongly and selectively adsorbed on the Ca site of dolomite through O. Actual ore rough selection experiments reveal that TA pretreatment successfully removes dolomite from magnesite, resulting in a high-quality magnesite concentrate characterized by a MgO grade of 45.49% and a CaO grade of 0.75%.

h

References

[1] HojamberdievM, ArifovP, TadjievK, et al.. Processing of refractory materials using various magnesium sources derived from Zinelbulak talc-magnesite. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials, 2011, 18(1): 105-114 J]

[2] WangQ-h, WangY-l, XueM, et al.. Preparation of magnesium silicate from magnesite. China Powder Science and Technology, 2022, 28(5): 128-134[J]

[3] GongX-f, YaoJ, YangB, et al.. Flotation separation of dolomite and brucite via selective adsorption of the inhibitor tetrasodium hydroxyethylphosphate. Journal of Central South University, 2023, 30(8): 2574-2586 J]

[4] YangB, ZhuZ-l, YinW-z, et al.. Selective adsorption of an eco-friendly and efficient depressant PBTCA onto dolomite for effective flotation of fluorapatite from dolomite. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2020, 400: 125780 J]

[5] GongX-f, YaoJ, YangB, et al.. Activation-inhibition mechanism of diammonium hydrogen phosphate in flotation separation of brucite and calcite. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2023, 11(3): 110184 J]

[6] ZhaoH-y, WangY-l, ShiT-j, et al.. Synthesis and formation mechanism of anhydrous magnesium carbonate by hydrothermal method of nesquehonite with assistance of ammonium chloride. China Powder Science and Technology, 2022, 28(6): 49-57[J]

[7] YaoJ, SunH-r, YangB, et al.. Selective co-adsorption of a novel mixed collector onto magnesite surface to improve the flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite. Powder Technology, 2020, 371: 180-189 J]

[8] QinW-q, HuJ-j, ZhuH-l, et al.. Effect of depressants on flotation separation of magnesite from dolomite and calcite. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2023, 33(1): 83-91 J]

[9] MengQ-y, FengQ-m, OuL-m. Flotation behavior and adsorption mechanism of fine wolframite with octyl hydroxamic acid. Journal of Central South University, 2016, 23(6): 1339-1344 J]

[10] GongX-f, YaoJ, YangB, et al.. Adsorption mechanism of green efficient chelating poly-L-aspartic acid in flotation separation of brucite and dolomite. Advanced Powder Technology, 2023, 34(11): 104207 J]

[11] CaoS-h, YinW-z, YangB, et al.. Insights into the influence of temperature on the adsorption behavior of sodium oleate and its response to flotation of quartz. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2022, 32(2): 399-409 J]

[12] YaoJ, GongX-f, SunH-r, et al.. Separation of magnesite and calcite based on flotation solution chemistry. Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing, 2022, 58(4): 149398[J]

[13] YinW-z, TangY. Interactive effect of minerals on complex ore flotation: A brief review. International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials, 2020, 27(5): 571-583 J]

[14] ParapariP S, IrannajadM, MehdiloA. Modification of ilmenite surface properties by superficial dissolution method. Minerals Engineering, 2016, 92: 160-167 J]

[15] ZhuG-l, ZhaoY-h, ZhengX-y, et al.. Surface features and flotation behaviors of spodumene as influenced by acid and alkali treatments. Applied Surface Science, 2020, 507: 145058 J]

[16] IrannajadM, SalmaniN O, MehdiloA. Surface dissolution-assisted mineral flotation: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2019, 7(3): 103050 J]

[17] FengB, LuY-p, FengQ-m, et al.. Talc-serpentine interactions and implications for talc depression. Minerals Engineering, 2012, 32: 68-73 J]

[18] ZhangN-n, EjtemaeiM, NguyenA V, et al.. XPS analysis of the surface chemistry of sulfuric acid-treated kaolinite and diaspore minerals with flotation reagents. Minerals Engineering, 2019, 136: 1-7 J]

[19] DuY-s, MengQ-y, YuanZ-t, et al.. New insights into the impact of acid surface pretreatment on the flotation of three classified ilmenites. Applied Surface Science, 2022, 599: 153945 J]

[20] LiH-x, ChaiW-c, CaoY-j, et al.. Flotation enhancement of low-grade bauxite using oxalic acid as surface pretreatment agent. Applied Surface Science, 2022, 577: 151964 J]

[21] ShengQ-y, YinW-z, YangB, et al.. Promotion of oxidation pretreatment on sulfidation of cuprite surface and its contribution to flotation. Minerals Engineering, 2021, 174: 107256 J]

[22] SunR-f, LiuD, LiY-h, et al.. Influence of lead ion pretreatment surface modification on reverse flotation separation of fluorite and calcite. Minerals Engineering, 2021, 171: 107077 J]

[23] TengQ, FengY-l, LiH-r. Effects of silicate-bacteria pretreatment on desiliconization of magnesite by reverse flotation. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2018, 544: 60-67 J]

[24] PengW-j, LiuS-g, CaoY-j, et al.. A novel approach for selective flotation separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite-Electrocatalytic oxidation pretreatment and its mechanism. Applied Surface Science, 2022, 597: 153753 J]

[25] ZhengC-l, RuY, XuM, et al.. Effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the flotation performance and surface properties of coking middlings. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2018, 40(6): 734-741 J]

[26] YangZ-z, GengL, ZhouH-p, et al.. Improving the flotation separation of chalcopyrite from galena through high-temperature air oxidation pretreatment. Minerals Engineering, 2022, 176: 107350 J]

[27] LiM-y, YangC, WuZ-y, et al.. Selective depression action of taurine in flotation separation of specularite and chlorite. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2022, 32(3): 637-644 J]

[28] LuoX-m, YinW-z, WangY-f, et al.. Effect and mechanism of dolomite with different size fractions on hematite flotation using sodium oleate as collector. Journal of Central South University, 2016, 23(3): 529-534 J]

[29] ChenD-x, WangD-z, GeH-y, et al.. Effect of alkali treatment on surface modification of spherical silicon powder. China Powder Science and Technology, 2023, 29(3): 81-91[J]

[30] GongX-f, YaoJ, YangB, et al.. Study on the inhibition mechanism of guar gum in the flotation separation of brucite and dolomite in the presence of SDS. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 2023, 380: 121721 J]

[31] ZhangX-m, HeZ-q, SuZ-x, et al.. Effect of mechanical activation on surface characteristic of potassium feldspar particle. China Powder Science and Technology, 2023, 29(3): 145-154[J]

[32] LuoX-m, YinW-z, WangY-f, et al.. Effect and mechanism of siderite on reverse anionic flotation of quartz from hematite. Journal of Central South University, 2016, 23(1): 52-58 J]

[33] YangB, CaoS-h, ZhuZ-l, et al.. Selective flotation separation of apatite from dolomite utilizing a novel eco-friendly and efficient depressant for sustainable manufacturing of phosphate fertilizer. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 286: 124949 J]

[34] GaoZ-y, DengJ, SunW, et al.. Selective flotation of scheelite from calcite using a novel reagent scheme. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 2022, 43(2): 137-149 J]

[35] GongX-f, YaoJ, YangB, et al.. Selective activation of new regulator SMP in reverse flotation separation of brucite and calcite. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2023, 675: 132049 J]

[36] SarquísP E, Menéndez-AguadoJ M, MahamudM M, et al.. Tannins: The organic depressants alternative in selective flotation of sulfides. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2014, 84: 723-726 J]

[37] WangJ-j, LiW-h, ZhouZ-h, et al.. 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid used as pH-dependent switch to depress and activate fluorite flotation I: Depressing behavior and mechanism. Chemical Engineering Science, 2020, 214: 115369 J]

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Central South University