Improved hemimorphite flotation using xanthate as a collector with S(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) activation

The flotation of hemimorphite using the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process, which includes sulfidization with sodium sulfide, activation by lead cations, and subsequent flotation with xanthate, was investigated. The flotation results indicated that hemimorphite floats when the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process is used; a maximum recovery of approximately 90% was obtained. Zeta-potential, contact-angle, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS), and diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements were used to characterize the activation products on the hemimorphite surface and their subsequent interaction with sodium butyl xanthate (SBX). The results showed that a ZnS coating formed on the hemimorphite surface after the sample was conditioned in an Na₂S solution. However, the formation of a ZnS coating on the hemimorphite surface did not improve hemimorphite flotation. With the subsequent addition of lead cations, PbS species formed on the mineral surface. The formation of the PbS species on the surface of hemimorphite significantly increased the adsorption capacity of SBX, forming lead xanthate (referred to as chemical adsorption) and leading to a substantial improvement in hemimorphite flotation. Our results indicate that the addition of lead cations is a critical step in the successful flotation of hemimorphite using the sulfidization–lead ion activation–xanthate process.     

A novel method for improving cerussite sulfidization

Evaluation of flotation behavior, solution measurements, and surface analyses were performed to investigate the effects of chloride ion addition on the sulfidization of cerussite in this study. Micro-flotation tests indicate that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization can significantly increase the flotation recovery of cerussite, which is attributed to the formation of more lead sulfide species on the mineral surface. Solution measurement results suggest that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization induces the transformation of more sulfide ions from pulp solution onto the mineral surface by the formation of more lead sulfide species. X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicate that more lead sulfide species form on the mineral surface when chloride ions are added prior to sulfidization. These results demonstrate that the addition of chloride ions prior to sulfidization can significantly improve the sulfidization of cerussite, thereby enhancing the flotation performance.     

Synthesis of a copper(Ⅱ) oxide-montmorillonite composite for lead removal

The synthesis of a copper(Ⅱ) oxide-montmorillonite composite and its application in the removal of lead(Ⅱ) ions in solution were investigated. The Acros Organics (ACOR) montmorillonite was activated using potassium hydroxide solution. The activated ACOR montmorillonite was titrated with copper(Ⅱ) nitrate solution to produce the copper(Ⅱ) oxide-montmorillonite composite. Adsorption experiments were conducted using batch-mode techniques under reducing conditions at ambient temperature. The reaction mechanism indicated a higher proton coefficient, greater intraparticle diffusion, and higher mass transfer rates compared with those achieved with bare montmorillonite. The intraparticle diffusion constant derived from the slope was 2.93-3 (mg·g-1·min-0.5), and the intercept C was 9.86, ≠ 0. In the presence of a CuO coating, the adsorption efficiency was 85.55% at pH 4 and 89.62% at pH 7. Therefore, the copper(Ⅱ) oxide-montmorillonite composite, as a novel adsorbent with a very high adsorption capacity, exhibited substantially enhanced adsorption of Pb2+ ions compared with bare montmorillonite.     

The selective effect of food-grade guar gum on chalcopyrite-monoclinic pyrrhotite separation using mixed aerofloat (CSU11) as collector

The flotation separation of chalcopyrite from monoclinic pyrrhotite using food-grade guar gum (FGG) as a depressant was studied through flotation tests, kinetic studies, dynamic potential measurements, adsorption experiments, and infrared spectral analyses. The microflotation results showed that the flotation separation of chalcopyrite from monoclinic pyrrhotite could not be realized by adding mixed aerofloat (CSU11) alone. The depressant FGG exhibited a selective depression effect on monoclinic pyrrhotite by controlling the pulp pH range from 5.0 to 6.0, with a maximum floatability variation of 79.36% in the presence of CSU11. The flotation kinetics, zeta-potential, adsorption, and infrared spectroscopy studies revealed that the FGG could absorb more strongly on the surface of monoclinic pyrrhotite than on the surface of chalcopyrite. In addition, the results revealed that the interaction of FGG with the monoclinic pyrrhotite surface was governed primarily by strong chemisorption, whereas FGG mainly bonded to chalcopyrite through hydrogen bonding. This difference was responsible for the excellent depression selectivity of FGG toward monoclinic pyrrhotite flotation and weak depression effect toward chalcopyrite flotation.     

Flotation of niobite, fersmite, and ilmenorutile

The flotation ofniobite, fersmite, and ilmenorutile was studied using 3 collectors with various concentration and pulp pH. The collecting property of different representative collectors was investigated. Experimental results show that diphosphonic acid is an effective collector for valuable niobium-containing minerals. A flotation recovery of 90.87%-91.7% is obtained with 75 mg/L diphosphonic acid at pH 2-4. The chemical adsorption of diphosphonic acid on these 3 minerals' surface might lead to the high recovery efficiency of the minerals, which is proved by IR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra.     

Growth behavior of electroless copper on silicon substrate

The growth behavior containing deposit morphology, growth rate, activation energy, and growth mechanism of copper on silicon substrate, especially at the initial stage, in the electroless plating process was studied. Copper was deposited on the surface of the silicon substrate in an electloless plating bath containing formalin (CH₂O 37vol%) as a reducing agent at a pH value of 12.5 and a temperature of 50-75℃. The copper deposit was characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The results showed that after the activation process, nanoscale Pd particles were distributed evenly on the surface of the silicon; in the deposition process, copper first nucleated at locations not only near the Pd particles but also between the Pd particles; the growth rate of electroless Cu ranged from 0.517 nm/s at 50℃ to 1.929 nm/s at 75℃. The activation energy of electroless Cu on Si was 52.97 kJ/mol.     

Solution chemistry of carbonate minerals and its effects on the flotation of hematite with sodium oleate

The effects of carbonate minerals (dolomite and siderite) on the flotation of hematite using sodium oleate as a collector were investigated through flotation tests, supplemented by dissolution measurements, solution chemistry calculations, zeta-potential measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic studies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The results of flotation tests show that the presence of siderite or dolomite reduced the recovery of hematite and that the inhibiting effects of dolomite were stronger. Dissolution measurements, solution chemistry calculations, and flotation tests confirmed that both the cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) and CO₃2- ions dissolved from dolomite depressed hematite flotation, whereas only the CO₃2- ions dissolved from siderite were responsible for hematite depression. The zeta-potential, FTIR spectroscopic, and XPS analyses indicated that Ca2+, Mg2+, and CO₃2- (HCO₃-) could adsorb onto the hematite surface, thereby hindering the adsorption of sodium oleate, which was the main reason for the inhibiting effects of carbonate minerals on hematite flotation.     

三价砷存在条件下毒砂表面微结构对热氧化硫杆菌附着性的影响

Understanding bacterial adsorption and the evolution of biofilms on arsenopyrite with different surface structures is of great significance to clarifying the mechanism of microbe–mineral interfacial interactions and the production of acidic mine drainage impacting the environment. In this study, the attachment of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans cells and subsequent biofilm formation on arsenopyrite with different surface structures in the presence of dissolved As(Ⅲ) was studied. Arsenopyrite slices with a specific surface were obtained by electrochemical corrosion at 0.26 V. The scanning electronic microscopy-energy dispersion spectra analyses indicated that the arsenopyrite surface deficient in sulfur and iron obtained by electrochemical treatment was not favorable for the initial adsorption of bacteria, and the addition of As(Ⅲ) inhibited the adsorption of microbial cells. Epifluorescence microscopy showed that the number of cells attaching to the arsenopyrite surface increased with time; however, biofilm formation was delayed significantly when As(Ⅲ) was added.     

Flotation separation of arsenopyrite from several sulphide minerals with organic depressants

In this paper, the separation of arsenopyrite from chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena with organic depressants （guergum and sodium humic ） was discussed, and the functioning mechanism of those organic depressants was discussed. The experimental results of monomineral flotation indicated that both guergum and sodium humic have depressing effect on arsenopyrite in the presence of ethyl xanthate. Guergum and sodium humic showed different depressing ability to pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena, and the higher the pH value in pulp, the stronger the depressing ability. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometric study showed that the adsorption layer of xanthate on surface of minerals had been desorhed by the two organic depressants, and the selective desorption of the collector layer was found from different minerals. The xanthate cover on minerals surface was set free when dosage of the organic depressants was high enough. For artificially-mixed minerals, the separation of arsenopyrite from other sulphides was successfully realized by controlling dosage of the organic depressants. And sodium humic had been concentrates in a commercial Lead-Zinc concentrator.     

Preparation of electroless Ni–P composite coatings containing nano-scattered alumina in presence of polymeric surfactant

Ni–P electroless coating was applied on low carbon steel with the incorporation of different amounts of nano Al2O3 powder (ranging from 3 g/l to 30 g/l) in electroless bath. Corrosion properties and microstructures of the coating were studied. The dispersion stability of alumina colloidal particles stabilized by polymeric (non-ionic) surfactants in an electroless bath was also investigated. The surface morphology and the relevant structure were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior of the coated steel was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization techniques. The results showed that increasing alumina concentration not only changed the surface morphology, but also promoted the corrosion resistance. Addition of surfactants has an indirect effect on the amount of the incorporated particles. Meanwhile, in the presence of surfactant, corrosion resistance of Ni–P coating containing even a small quantity of alumina was improved since a stabilized bath was obtained.     

Preparation and characterization of SiO2 non-catalytic nucleation coating for the solidification of undercooled melt

SiO2 non-catalytic nucleation films were coated onto a ceramic substrate and the inner surface of a ceramic crucible by the Sol-Gel method. The surface morphology of the coatings was characterized with an atomic force microscope and a scanning electronic microscope. The non-catalytic effect of the coating on the heterogeneous nucleation of metal melts was tested through measuring the nucleation undercooling. Investigation results indicated that the prepared coating could act as a baffle-wall to prevent the metal melt from nucleating heterogeneously on the inner surface of the crystalline crucible. The tiny holes with a diameter below 2 μm and heaves on the coating surface have no evident effect on the undercooling of metal melts. For a poly-layer coating, the super-layer can cover the cracks in the sub-layers, which prevents the cracks in the coating from spreading in the direction vertical to the coating layers and thus eliminates the effect of cracks on the coating.     

Crystallization kinetics of overlapping phases in Se70Te15Sb15 using isoconversional methods

The crystallization kinetics of Se70Te15Sb15 chalcogenide glass was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC) under non-isothermal conditions. This glass was found to have a double glass transition and double overlapped crystalline phases. The overlapped crystalline phases were successfully separated using the Gaussian fit model. The activation energy, Ec, and Avrami index, n, were determined by analyzing the data using the Matausita et. al. method. A strong heating rate depending on the activation energy for the two crystalline peaks was observed. The results indicated that the transformation from amorphous to crystalline phases is a complex process involving different mechanisms of nucleation and growth. The variation of activation energy with crystalline fraction was determined by Kissenger–Akahira–Sunose(KAS) method. The obtained results of directly fitting the experimental DSC data to the calculated DSC curves indicated that the crystallization process of Se70Te15Sb15 glass cannot be satisfactorily described by the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami(JMA) model. Simulation results indicated that the Sestak–Berggren(SB) model is more suitable to describe the crystallization process for the studied glass. The crystalline phases for the two events were identified by using x-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).     

Semi-industrial experimental study on bauxite separation using a cell–column integration process

The cyclonic-static micro-bubble flotation column (FCSMC) is a highly efficient mineral processing equipment. In this study, a cell-column (FCSMC) integration process was investigated for the separation of bauxite and its feasibility was analyzed on a theoretical basis. The properties of low-grade bauxite ore from Henan Province, China were analyzed. Parameters such as reagent dosage, scraping bubble time, and pressure of the circulating pump during the sorting process were investigated and optimized to improve the flotation efficiency. On the basis of these parameters, continuous separation experiments were conducted. Bauxite concentrate with an aluminum-to-silicon (A/S) mass ratio of 6.37 and a 77.63wt% recovery rate were achieved via a flow sheet consisting of “fast flotation using a flotation cell, one roughing flotation and one cleaning flotation using flotation columns”. Compared with the full-flotation-cells process, the cell–column integration process resulted in an increase of the A/S ratio by 0.41 and the recovery rate by 17.58wt%. Cell–column integration separation technology represents a new approach for the separation of middle-to-low-grade bauxite ore.     

Characteristics of Pb~(2 ) biosorption with aerobic granular biomass

Experimental studies were conducted on the feasibility of aerobic granular biomass as a novel type of biosorbent for Pb2 removal. The results show that the initial pH, Pb2 concentration (C0) and biomass concentration (X0) affected the biosorption process significantly. Both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models describe the biosorption process accurately, with correlation coefficients of 0.932 and 0.959 respectively. The Pb2 biosorption kinetics is interpreted as having two stages, with the second stage described reasonably well by a Lagergren pseudo-second order model. Moreover, the surface change of granular biomass after the Pb2 biosorption process appears to be caused by ion exchange and metal chelation according to the analysis results of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX).     

In situ synthesis of Fe-based alloy clad coatings containing TiB_2–TiN –(h-BN)

Fe-based alloy coatings containing TiB2–TiN –(h-BN) were synthesized in situ on Q235 steel substrates by a plasma cladding process using the powders of Fe901 alloy, Ti, and h-BN as raw materials. The effects of Ti/h-BN mass ratio on interfacial bonds between the coating and substrate along with the microstructures and microhardnesses of the coatings were investigated. The results show that the Ti/h-BN mass ratio is a vital factor in the formation of the coatings. Free h-BN can be introduced into the coatings by adding an excess amount of h-BN into the precursor. Decreases in the Ti/h-BN mass ratio improve the microstructural uniformity and compactness and enhance the interfacial bonds of the coatings. At a Ti/h-BN mass ratio of 10/20, the coating is free of cracks and micropores, and mainly consists of Fe-Cr, Fe3B, TiB2, TiN, Ti2N, TiB, FeN, FeB, Fe2B, and h-BN phases. Its average microhardness in the zone between 0.1–2.8 mm from the coating surface is about Hv0.2 551.5.     

Electrochemical and spectroscopic study of interfacial interactions between chalcopyrite and typical flotation process reagents

Comparative voltammetry and differential double-layer capacitance studies were performed to evaluate interfacial interactions between chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) and n-isopropyl xanthate (X) in the presence of ammonium bisulfite/39wt% SO₂ and caustic starch at different pH values. Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and microflotation tests were used to establish the type and extent of xanthate adsorption as well as the species involved under different mineral surface conditions in this study. The results demonstrate that the species that favor a greater hydrophobicity of chalcopyrite are primarily CuX and S0, whereas oxides and hydroxides of Cu and Fe as well as an excess of starch decrease the hydrophobicity. A conditioning of the mineral surface with ammonium bisulfite/39wt% SO₂ at pH 6 promotes the activation of surface and enhances the xanthate adsorption. However, this effect is diminished at pH ≥ 8, when an excess of starch is added during the preconditioning step.     

Utilization of DTAB as a collector for the reverse flotation separation of quartz from fluorapatite

Reverse flotation desilication is an indispensable step for obtaining high-grade fluorapatite. In this work, dodecyltrimethylammoni- um bromide (DTAB) is recommended as an efficient collector for the reverse flotation separation of quartz from fluorapatite. Its collectivity for quartz and selectivity for fluorapatite were also compared with figures corresponding to the conventional collector dodecylamine hydrochlor- ide (DAC) via microflotation experiments. The adsorption behaviors of DTAB and DAC on minerals were systematically investigated with surface chemical analyses, such as contact angle determination, zeta potential detection, and adsorption density measurement. The results re- vealed that compared to DAC, DTAB displayed a similar and strong collectivity for quartz, and it showed a better selectivity (or worse col- lectivity) for fluorapatite, resulting in a high-efficiency separation of the two minerals. The surface chemical analysis results showed that the adsorption ability of DTAB on the quartz surface was as strong as that of DAC, whereas the adsorption amount of DTAB on the fluorapatite surface was much lower than that of DAC, which is associated with the flotation performance. During the floatation separation of the actual ore, 8wt% fluorapatite with a higher grade can be obtained using DTAB in contrast to DAC. Therefore, DTAB is a promising collector for the high-efficiency purification and sustainable utilization of valuable fluorapatite recourses.     

Influence of the roughness and shape of quartz particles on their flotation kinetics

Surface roughness and shape play an important role on the behavior of particles in various processes such as flotation. In this research, the influence of different grinding methods on the surface roughness and shape characteristics of quartz particles as well as the effect of these parameters on the flotation of the particles was investigated. The surface roughness of the particles was determined by measuring their specific surface area via the gas adsorption method. The shape characteristics of the particles were measured and calculated by images obtained by scanning electron microscopy via an image analysis system. The flotation kinetics was determined using a laboratory flotation cell. The results showed that the particles of rod mill products have higher roughness and elongation ratio and lower roundness than the particles of ball mill products. The flotation kinetics constant of the particles increased with their surface roughness increasing. Particles with higher elongation and lower roundness indicated higher floatability. In addition, the influence of the surface roughness on the flotation kinetics was greater than that of shape parameters.     

Effect and mechanism of siderite on reverse flotation of hematite

The effects of siderite on reverse flotation of hematite were investigated using micro flotation, adsorption tests, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The flotation results show that interactions between siderite and quartz are the main reasons that siderite significantly influences the floatability. The interactions are attributed to dissolved siderite species and fine siderite particles. The interaction due to the dissolved species is, however, dominant. Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theoretical calculations reveal that adhesion on quartz increases when the siderite particle size decreases and that fine particles partly influence quartz floatability. Chemical solution calculations indicate that the dissolved species of siderite might convert the surface of active quartz to CaCO₃ precipitates that can be depressed by starch. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the results of adsorption tests and FTIR spectroscopy and explain the reasons why siderite significantly influences reverse flotation of hematite.     

Selective depression behavior of guar gum on talc-type scheelite flotation

The depression behavior and mechanism of guar gum on talc-type scheelite flotation were systematically investigated by flotation experiments, adsorption tests, zeta-potential measurements, and infrared spectroscopic analyses. The flotation results for monominerals, mixed minerals, and actual mineral samples indicated that guar gum exhibited much higher selective depression for talc than for scheelite. Bench-scale closed-circuit tests showed that a tungsten concentrate with a WO₃ grade of 51.43% and a WO₃ recovery of 76.18% was obtained. Adsorption tests, zeta-potential measurements, and infrared spectral analyses confirmed that guar gum absorbed more strongly onto the talc surface than onto the scheelite surface because of chemisorption between guar gum and talc. This chemisorption is responsible for the guar gum's highly selective depression for talc and small depression for scheelite. The flotation results provide technical support for talc-type scheelite flotation.