Investigation the effect of filling materials on chalcopyrite flotation

• Published in: Powder technology 2024-01, Vol.431, p.119049, Article 119049
• Main Authors: Miao, Yuqi, Zhao, Guanfei, Fang, Xihui, Yan, Huashan, Qiu, Xianhui, Yang, Changlong, Zhang, Shiren, Qiu, Tingsheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adsorption; Aggregation; Chalcopyrite; contact angle; dissolved calcium; Dissolved ions; electron microscopy; energy; Filling materials; Flotation; hydrophobicity; technology; turbidity; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; zeta potential
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2023.119049

Raw ores are mixed with filling materials during mining, which makes it difficult to sort copper‑sulfur resources. Inductively coupled plasma analysis revealed that the primary dissolved metal ions from the filling materials were Ca2+ and Fe3+. Flotation solution chemistry, flotation tests, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed that the dissolved calcium and iron materials were adsorbed onto the chalcopyrite surface in different component forms, which reduced chalcopyrite recovery. Moreover, zeta potential measurements, turbidity analysis, microscope observation, scanning electron microscopy detection, adsorption capacity measurements, and contact angle measurements revealed that the dissolved anions and cations from filling materials can change the surface zeta potential of chalcopyrite and filling materials, weaken the mutual repulsion energy, and strengthen the aggregation effect, thus reducing the adsorption of butyl xanthate on the chalcopyrite surface and its surface hydrophobics. The chalcopyrite recovery eventually decreased from 96.41% to 86.63%. [Display omitted] •The effect of filling materials on chalcopyrite flotation was firstly discussed.•The dissolved metal ions can be adsorbed on the surface of chalcopyrite in the form of hydrophilic hydroxide.•The dissolved materials can strengthen the aggregation between filling materials and chalcopyrite.•The addition of filling materials can weaken the flotation recovery of chalcopyrite.