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Comparison of selective flocculation of low grade goethitic iron ore fines using natural and synthetic polymers and a graft copolymer

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Abstract

This study aims to beneficiate low grade goethitic iron ore fines using a selective flocculation process. Selective flocculation studies were conducted using different polymers such as starch amylopectin (AP), poly acrylic acid (PAA), and a graft copolymer (AP-g-PAA). The obtained results were analyzed; they indicate the enhancement of the iron ore grade from 58.49% to 67.52% using AP-g-PAA with a recovery of 95.08%. In addition, 64.45% Fe with a recovery of 88.79% was obtained using AP. Similarly, using PAA, the grade increased to 63.46% Fe with a recovery of 82.10%. The findings are also supported by characterizing concentrates using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Steel Authority of India Limited for providing low grade iron ore samples for this investigation and also the National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur for their kind support. The authors would also like to thank Central Research Facility, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad for providing analytical facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fuel and Mineral Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826004, India

    Kichakeswari Tudu & N. R. Mandre

  2. Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826004, India

    Sagar Pal

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  1. Kichakeswari Tudu
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  2. Sagar Pal
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  3. N. R. Mandre
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Correspondence to Kichakeswari Tudu.

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Tudu, K., Pal, S. & Mandre, N.R. Comparison of selective flocculation of low grade goethitic iron ore fines using natural and synthetic polymers and a graft copolymer. Int J Miner Metall Mater 25, 498–504 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1596-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1596-5

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