Minerals 2017, 7(4), 52; doi:10.3390/min7040052
The Effect of Polystyrene on the Carrier Flotation of Fine Smithsonite
1
School of Resources Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
2
Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China
3
State Key Laboratory of Mineral Processing, Beijing 102628, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Kota Hanumantha Rao
Received: 8 February 2017 / Revised: 27 March 2017 / Accepted: 28 March 2017 / Published: 29 March 2017
Abstract
Carrier flotation is a common technique used to improve flotation recovery of ultrafine ores. In this study, we used coarse polystyrene as the carrier material to enhance flotation recovery of fine smithsonite (ZnCO3) particles. Sodium oleate was used as the collector and played a role in the adhesion of fine smithsonite to polystyrene due to its amphipathic properties. The carrier feature of polystyrene was demonstrated using particle size analysis, total organic carbon, and scanning electron microscopy. The fine smithsonite particles coated the polystyrene particles through a reaction between the active zinc sites and the carboxyl head groups of the oleate adsorbed on smithsonite and through a hydrophobic interaction between polystyrene and the hydrocarbon chains of the oleate. Newly enlarged particle aggregates with smithsonite shells enhanced collision and attachment of the hydrophobized aggregates with bubbles, which accelerated smithsonite flotation recovery. View Full-TextKeywords:
carrier flotation; polystyrene; ultrafine particles; smithsonite
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Zhang, X.; Hu, Y.; Sun, W.; Xu, L. The Effect of Polystyrene on the Carrier Flotation of Fine Smithsonite. Minerals 2017, 7, 52.
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