Novel emulsion collectors for coarse composite particle flotation of chalcopyrite-quartz ore in a mechanical flotation cell

Abstract

We present kerosene-in-water emulsions stabilized with potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) or α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 400 succinate xanthate (TPGS-X) and tallow diamine for coarse composite particle flotation of a chalcopyrite-quartz natural ore (P80 = 213 µm) in a mechanical cell. The emulsion (average droplet size ≈ 10 μm) was expected to deposit a nanometer-scale oil layer on the composite particle through droplet attachment to the chalcopyrite patch via the xanthate at pH 11. Reducing the pH to 9 then protonates the tallow diamine for interaction with the quartz surface, triggering the spreading of the droplet to the surrounding quartz surfaces of the same composite particle. The incr..