Mechanism of different particle sizes of quartz activated by metallic ion in butyl xanthate solution

Abstract

To investigate effect of metallic ion activation on different particle sizes of quartz in butyl xanthate solution, six common ions (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) were introduced as activators. The approaches of micro-flotation, adsorption test and zeta potential measurement were adopted to reveal the mechanism of ion activation. The results show that Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are effective activators for the flotation of quartz in butyl xanthate solution because of their absorption on activated quartz surface. Average recoveries of fine particles (<37 μm) are greater than those of coarser particles (37−74 μm), suggesting that the former is easier to be activated and more likely to be floated and thus entrained in sulphide concentrate. From another perspective, addition of metallic ions (Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺) renders zeta potentials move positively, and addition of the same metallic ions and butyl xanthate makes zeta potential drop apparently, which support a mechanism where they adsorb onto quartz surface, resulting in an expected increase in butyl xanthate collector adsorption with a concomitant increase in the flotation recoveries.