Advanced Materials Research
ISSN: 1662-8985, Vols. 616-618, pp 283-292
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.616-618.283
© 2013 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
Online: 2012-12-13
A Study of Several Inorganic Inhibitor Effected On Jamesonite And
Marmatite Separation Flotation
Chuangkun Wu1,a,Zongwu Wei2,b,Runzhi Huang1,c,Zhongbao Yu1,d,Xiao Mu2,e
1
Chehe concentrator of China Tin Group Nandan Guangxi china
2
Resources and metallurgy of guangxi university resources and metallurgy of Guangxi University
Nanning Guangxi China
b
[email protected], [email protected]
Keywords: inorganic inhibitor, jamesonite, marmatite, flotation
Abstract. Study on the inorganic inhibitor on jamesonite and marmatite separation flotation，the
result indicate the inhibition of minerals mainly has three forms. They are respectively: Inhibitor
adsorbed on mineral surface to generate new chemical film which didn’t reaction with collector;
After the adsorption of depressant, the reaction between depressant and the adsorbed collector
molecule will occur on the mineral surface, which result in the ineffectiveness of the collector;
Inhibitors and collector competitive to adsorb on mineral surface, and then the collector is pushed to
the liquid phase.。The inhibitor’s performances are relevant to its oxidation and chemical property.
Introduction
Jamesonite are genesis of high temperature and medium temperature hydrothermal which
always exist in polymetallic deposit, such as cassiterite sulfide ore deposits and stibnite ore deposit.
And it always coexist with pyrrhotite，pyrite and marmatite. Deng Haibo[1] studies in Guangxi
Changpo concentrator jamesonite pure minerals flotation behavior, find out that Jamesonite can
collected by the butyl xanthate in natural pH without activating, and not affected by cyanide
inhibition which as same as the Galena. And the jamesonite can get the best flotabilities in the pH 5,
it as same as the stibnite. But the stibnite required activation, in neutral or weakly alkaline condition
difficult to float or not floating; while the Jamesonite in neutral or weakly alkaline condition can
float. Compare with the stibnite, Jamesonite flotation properties closer to the galena. The minerals
are usually reserves are not large, but in China Guangxi Dachang ore field the Jamesonite main
minerals. Marmatite namely iron zinc blende sphalerite lattice, the zinc ion replaced by iron ion,
with the iron ion increase its color also gradually deepens, when iron ion increased to more than
20% iron sphalerite is black, because iron ions in the lattice permutation is different, the
performance of marmatite the properties are different. Zhang Qin[3] Study in marmatite which
containing with 15.02% iron, finding out: marmatite in acidic conditions can flotation without
collector, copper sulphate exists when the floatability of marmatite is greatly improved, when the
copper sulfate concentration reaches a certain degree, in the pH range has very good floatability.
When the copper sulphate exists the floatability of marmatite is greatly improved, when the copper
sulfate concentration reaches a certain degree, the marmatite has very good floatability in a large
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range pH. The activated marmatite will be inhibited strongly by Potassium permanganate with the
concentration is 4 ～ 6 × 10-5 mol / L. The concentration of potassium permanganate in excess of
6 × 10-5 mol / L, marmatite will get a good floating.Its mechanism of action is: low concentration
of potassium permanganate, permanganate and marmatite generated activation adsorption film and
surface of marmatite lattice ions generated by the reaction of metal hydroxy compounds inhibited
and the xanthate desorption; in high concentration, potassium permanganate and mineral surface
redox reaction generates large amounts of elemental sulfur.
Pure mineral ore sample properties
The tests used by the pure sample: jamesonite, marmatite from CHEHE concentrator of China
Tin Corporation. Three kinds of pure ore sample treated by crush, sorting, porcelain ball milling,
screening, elutriation. Qualified product size in -200+400 Mesh range and the prepared samples
placed in the dryer preservation.
Employ the multi element analyzer and spectrum analyzer to analysis the samples, the results
shows in the follow sheets:
Table1.1 The main element analysis results (%)
Elements
Pb
Zn
Jamesonite
35.20
Marmatite
0.07
Sb
S
Fe
1.18
31.31
21.91
4.63
50.95
0.05
31.10
13.36
Table1.2 Spectrum analysis results (%)
As
Jamesonite
0.23
Marmatite
0.20
Sb
0.042
Te
Cu
Sn
In
Ag
0.003
0.09
0.100
0.011
0.052
0.003
0.12
0.088
0.018
0.0006
Various inorganic inhibitor effected on mineral flotability
2.1 The influence of pH value
In this test employ the NaOH and Ca（OH）2 as pH regulator. With the pH value of the slurry
to improve, the mineral recovery rate decreased. when the OH- ion concentration is increased, the
mineral surface to form stable metal hydroxides, mineral hydrophilic and suppressed which is due
to anionic collector xanthate anion (-OCSS-) and OH- ions competitive to absorb to the mineral
surface. The test results shown in the figure.1 and figure.2 which are indicated that pH has affected
on the tow kinds of mineral recovery rate. At pH 6, marmatite recovery rate was 78%, pH 10,
marmatite recovery rate dropped to 50%, while the jamesonite at pH 6 was inhibited, achieve a
lower recovery rate.
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285
Fig2.1 The influence of pH value
Fig2.2 The effect of pH (adjust by Ca(HO)2) on mineral recovery
2.2 The effect of pH value on lead-zinc flotation
Accompany with sodium cyanide dosage increases ceaselessly, marmatite inhibition constant
obviously, recovery rate declining. In the dosage of sodium cyanide to 800g/t, marmatite basically
depressed, the recovery rate is 26%.And sodium cyanide for jamesonite almost no inhibition.
Fig.2.3 The effect of NaCN dosage on mineral recovery
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2.3 The effect of ZnSO4 on lead-zinc flotation
As the test result show in fig.2.6, employ the ZnSO4 as the inhibitor of marmatite with no
effect. Due to the test sample contain with marmatite and jamesonite，the marmatite activated by
Cu+ block ZnSO4 react with marmatite to generate HZnO2- and ZnO22- ions, so ZnSO4 has no effect
on marmatite. At the same time, ZnSO4 has no effect on jamesonite too.
Fig.2.4 The effect of ZnSO4 on mineral recovery
2.4 The effect of K2Cr2O7 on lead-zinc flotation
Potassium dichromate is a strong oxidizing reagent, it can make the oxidation of marmatite
which have a certain inhibit effect on marmatite. The test result show in fig.6, it shows that at the
dosage are 800g/t of potassium dichromate can get the best index. And employ the potassium
dichromate as the inhibitor of marmatite- jamesonite separation flotation with poor selective, the
reagent dosage increasing, jamesonite and marmatite are suppressed.
Fig2.5 The effect of K2Cr2O7 dosage on mineral recovery
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287
2.5 The effect of Anhydrous sodium sulphite on lead-zinc flotation
Employ the anhydrous sodium sulphite as the inhibitor of marmatite will get good index. As
the test result show in fig.2.6 which indicate that the dosage of anhydrous sodium sulphite in the
range of 1200~2000g/t, the recovery rate of marmatite is 30%. However, the same rang of
anhydrous sodium sulphite can’t make inhibition to jamesonite, and it still have Good floatability.
So, anhydrous sodium sulfite for separation of lead and zinc have a certain effect.
Fig.2.6 The effect of Anhydrous sodium sulphite dosage on mineral recovery
2.6 The effect of sodium thiosulfate on lead-zinc flotation
The propertied of Na2S2O3 is similar wiht Na2SO3,cause of：Na2SO3+S=Na2S2O3. Sodium
thiosulfate can react with Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Au, Hg ions to form a stable complex. The
test results as shown in Fig2.7, the dosage of sodium thiosulfate in the range of 800~2000g/t, can
realize the jamesonite and marmatite flotation separation.
Fig.2.7 The effect of sodium thiosulfate dosage on mineral recovery
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2.7 The effect of sodium hydrosulfite on lead-zinc flotation
Sodium hydrosulfite is a strong reducing reagent. Can be absorbed O2 oxidized to sodium
thiosulfate and the reaction was: 2Na2S2O4+O2=2Na2S2O3+3SO2.
The propertied of Sodium hydrosulfite is similar wiht sodium thiosulfate, but Sodium hydrosulfite
for marmatite inhibition is relatively weak.The test results as shown in Fig2.8 which indicate that
with dosage of sodium hydrosulfite increases, marmatite inhibitory effect is more obvious. Cause of
it has a better selectivity, for jamesonite without inhibition. The dosage of sodium hydrosulfite in
the range of 1200~2000g/t, can realize the jamesonite and marmatite flotation separation.
Fig.2.8 The effect of sodium hydrosulfite dosage on mineral recovery
2.8 The effect of FeSO4(NH4)2SO4 on lead-zinc flotation
Ammonium ferrous sulfate as a kind of sulfate with reducibility, the test results which show in
the fig.2.9 indicate that the ammonium ferrous sulfate for marmatite with inhibition. And increase
the dosage of Ammonium ferrous sulfate, inhibition effect is more obvious. The dosage of
Ammonium ferrous sulfate 2000g/t can obtain better index, the marmatite recovery rate is
38%.When the dosage over 2000g/t, jamesonite be suppressed too. The dosage of Ammonium
ferrous sulfate in the range of 1200~2000g/t, can realize the jamesonite and marmatite flotation
separation.
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289
Fig.2.9 The effect of FeSO4(NH4)2SO4 dosage on mineral recovery
2.9 The effect of KMnO4 on lead-zinc flotation
The surface of Jamesonite is covered with PbSO4, Sb2 (SO4)3 when the oxidation reaction
occurs which impact on its floatability; when the marmatite surface oxidation generates the ZnO
and ZnSO4, also makes it lose natural floatability. This is due to oxidant make the mineral surface
oxidation, so after surface oxidation increases solubility will lose the natural flotability. When
employ potassium permanganate as oxidizing agent, can make the mineral surface oxidation.
The test results as shown in Figure 2.10, which indicate that potassium permanganate can
inhibit marmatite. The dosage of potassium permanganate 1200g/t can obtain better index, the
marmatite recovery rate is 36%. While potassium permanganate for jamesonite of Dachang which
has better flotability without any inhibitory effect. For Chehe, cause of potassium permanganate
with good selectivity, increased its dosage still can effectively inhibit the marmatite and recovery
jamesonite.
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Fig.2.10 The effect of KMnO4 dosage on mineral recovery
2.10 The effect of ClO2 on lead-zinc flotation
Employ chlorine dioxide as inhibitors, basically, it have no effect on Chehe lead-zinc mine.
And chlorine dioxide on Lead-Zinc Ore inhibitory properties as shown in Fig.2.11, which indicates
that chlorine dioxide have inhibitory on jamesonite while it have the activation on marmatite.
Fig.2.11 The effect of ClO2 dosage on mineral recovery
2.11 The effect of FeSO4 on lead-zinc flotation
The ferrous sulfate can be used as flocculant in the marmatite flotation which can make the
pulp particles agglomeration Marmatite. Marmatite can be depressed by ferrous sulfate is due to the
ferrous sulfate reduces the negative potential of the particle surface cause the mineral particles of
pulp are adhered to each other, when a large number of mineral particle adhesion together mineral
is suppressed.
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291
As the result show in the fig.2.12, ferrous sulfate dosage in the range of 1200 to 2000g/t,
Jamesonite and marmatite can obtain the optimal separation index.
Fig.2.12 The effect of FeSO4 dosage on mineral recovery
Conclusion
1. Employ the sodium hydroxide and calcium hydroxide as regulator, with the pH increasing the
recovery of jamesonite and marmatite gradually declining, in the pH range from 7 to 10 the
jamesonite and marmatite be inhibited which is difficult to flotation separation.
2. Employ the Sodium cyanide as the inhibitor for lead-zinc of Dachang can get good index. It can
make the surface of marmatite generating stable zinc cyanide and iron cyanide to inhibit the Zinc,
and has a best selectivity in flotation process, does not inhibit jamesonite. Sodium cyanide with
smaller amounts can achieve a good flotation separation index.
3. Zinc sulfate is used as the traditional sphalerite inhibitors.But the test results show that, employ
the zinc sulfate as the inhibitor of Dachang the jamesonite and marmatite still has good floatability.
4. Employ the reducing agents anhydrous sodium sulfite, sodium thiosulfate sodium hydrosulfite as
inhibitor for lead-zinc of Dachang can get a certain index.
5. When the potassium permanganate appears, the surface of marmatite oxidation is inhibited and at
the same time potassium permanganate has better selectivity.
6. The test results show that, the ferrous sulfate with stronger inhibition to marmatite than ferric
sulfate. For marmatite, because ferrous sulfate not only produces coalescence effect, but also has
reducibility.
Fund
Project:
Scientific
(HEKEZHUAN117101-003)
transform
to
technological
achievements
and
Application
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Weikun Wu Male
Born in 1977 in Nandan of Guangxi
Engineer Mainly engaged in flotation
theory research and production management work
Zongwu Wei
Male
Born in 1974 in Sinan of Guizhou Associate Professor Mainly engaged
in mineral resources comprehensive utilization research and teaching
References:
[1] Haibo Deng, Shi Xu. Jamesonite and marmatite flotation mechanism and separation [J].
CNNC.1990,3:15～18
[2] Forssbery T. Ore contain with Antimony processing status[J].Jinyang, Translation. Metallic Ore
Dressing Abroad,1990,27(8):27～31
[3] Qin Zhang,Yuehua Hu, Guohua Gu. Marmatite flotation behavior and surface adsorption
mechanism. [J] The Chinese Journal of nonferrous metals 2004,4:23～26
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10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.616-618
A Study of Several Inorganic Inhibitor Effected on Jamesonite and Marmatite Separation Flotation
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.616-618.283