This thesis reports investigations into the flotation separation of pyrite from
arsenopyrite using xanthates and the new collectors Fl, S7 and F2B developed by
Dow Chemical Company. The Dow surfactants were classified as chelating
collectors by the manufacturer. For this purpose Hallimond tube, bench and
column flotation tests were run in order to assess the flotation behaviour of these
minerals. In addition to these experiments other tests performed were adsorption
characteristics of Fl on pyrite and arsenopyrite, the effect of Fl on
electrophoretic mobility and surface tension of Fl solutions.
The effect of pH on the recovery of pyrite and arsenopyrite was studied for all
collectors with the Hallimond tube. pH values ranging from 2 to 12 were tested
at constant collector concentrations. At the optimum pH values further
experiments were carried out under varying collector concentrations. The results
obtained for five different collectors showed that selectivity was rather poor at all
conditions except for Fl. A successful separation was seen to be possible
employing Fl and by floating pyrite. This was proven by using a mixture of
equal amounts of pyrite and arsenopyrite and selectively floating pyrite.
Bench and column flotation tests were carried out in order to confirm the results
obtained with the Hallimond tube. A Denver flotation cell was used and a
column cell was constructed. In these tests Fl was used as a collector and in
some cases amyl xanthate was blended. The effect of collector concentration was
monitored and other parameters were adjusted for an optimum separation.
Observations showed that a selective flotation of pyrite from arsenopyrite could
be possible.
Adsorption characteristics of Fl on pyrite and arsenopyrite were studied as a
function of collector concentration, pH and time. Though there was not a direct
correlation between the amount of Fl adsorbed and the success of flotation, in
general pyrite was found to adsorb more Fl than arsenopyrite. Electrophoretic
mobility of pyrite and arsenopyrite against pH and collector concentration was
measured. It was observed that Fl did not have a substantial effect on the
electrophoretic mobility of these minerals. The measured pK value of Fl
indicated that most of the collector in solution was in molecular form above pH
9.2.