Recycling of process water in sulphide flotation : Effect of calcium and sulphate ions on flotation of galena

The effects of major components of calcium and sulphate species present in recycled process water on galena flotation has been investigated through Hallimond flotation, zeta-potential, diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy and XPS measurements using pure galena mineral as well as bench scale flotation tests using complex sulphide ore. The significance of process water species in flotation has been assessed using deionised water, process water and simulated water containing calcium and sulphate ions in experiments. In addition, the effect of temperature in bench scale flotation tests has also been examined.Hallimond flotation indicated lower recoveries of galena in the presence of calcium and sulphate ions using potassium amyl xanthate as collector. Calcium ions increase zeta-potential of galena while sulphate ions have no effect. FTIR and XPS studies revealed the presence of surface oxidised sulfoxy, hydroxyl and carbonate species on galena at pH 10.5 in deionised and process water, which surface species affected xanthate adsorption. Bench scale flotation using two different complex sulphide ores showed that galena recovery is better in process water than tap water at room temperature. Flotation results also indicated decrease of galenarecovery at temperatures lower than 22oC in either tap water or process water.Godkänd; 2011; 20120509 (makmar