Dual polymer flocculation approach to overcome activation of gangue minerals during beneficiation of complex iron ore

• Published in: Powder technology 2013-09, Vol.245, p.281-291
• Main Authors: Abro, M.I., Pathan, A.G., Memon, A.R., Sirajuddin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Applied sciences; calcium; Chemical engineering; Complex iron ore; corn starch; Dispersants; Dual polymer flocculation; Exact sciences and technology; flocculation; hematite; iron; metal ions; Mineralogical and liberation constraints; Miscellaneous; Natural starch; polymers; potato starch; potatoes; quartz; slurries; Solid-solid systems
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2013.04.043

This paper reports potato and corn starch based dual polymer flocculation of partially liberated complex ooidic iron ore. Corn starch selectivity for hematite, lost due to incomplete liberation of hematite and the presence of 16ppm Ca2+, 3ppm Fe3+, and 1ppmMg2+ polyvalent metal ions, was improved by dual polymer flocculation when the induction order of potato starch followed by corn starch was used. The initial feed grade of 41% Fe was improved to 46.2% with a recovery of 49.3% Fe after the addition of 40ppm potato starch and 30ppm corn starch to the iron ore slurry. In our case, potato starch has been found to behave mainly as a selective polymeric dispersant rather than as a flocculant. The paper also discusses the possible occurrence of all the adsorption mechanisms involved in the flocculation of quartz and gangue minerals in the presence of polyvalent metal ions. [Display omitted] •Potato starch selectively dispersed the gangue by steric stabilization mechanism.•Corn starch selectivity for hematite restored in presence of polyvalent metal ions.•Use of potato followed by corn starch enhanced the flocculation of hematite.