Journal article
Flocculation/flotation of hematite fines with anionic temperature-responsive polymer acting as a selective flocculant and collector
WS Ng, R Sonsie, E Forbes, GV Franks
Minerals Engineering | Published : 2015
Abstract
A novel approach to the recovery of valuable fines is the use of temperature-responsive polymers such as poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM). These polymers act as dual-function flocculants and collectors to form hydrophobic aggregates improving particle-bubble collision and attachment. The aim of this study is to investigate the flotation performance of anionic PNIPAM for an iron ore sample containing fines compared to sodium oleate, an industrial collector for hematite. PNIPAM conditioned at room temperature (25°C, below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST)) and floated at 50°C (above the LCST) was found to provide improved hematite grade and recoveries for particles above 20 ..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for providing the financial support required for this work, as well as Vale for providing the iron ore samples studied. We would also wish to thank Dr John-Paul O'Shea for synthesising the polymer used in the study and Dr Luke Connal, Kevin Davey, Emma Brisson, and Warren Bruckard for support at various stages of the work.