Selective flotation of ilmenite from titanaugite under weakly acidic pH conditions using 2-amino-1-propanol as novel depressant
(1. School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China;
2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
3. Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Chengdu 610041, China;
4. Pangang Group Design and Research Institute of Mining Industry Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617063, China;
5. School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China)
2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
3. Institute of Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Chengdu 610041, China;
4. Pangang Group Design and Research Institute of Mining Industry Co., Ltd., Panzhihua 617063, China;
5. School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450000, China)
Abstract: The potential of 2-amino-1-propanol (AP) as a novel depressant in selectively floating ilmenite from titanaugite under weakly acidic conditions was investigated. Micro-flotation results show that AP significantly reduces the recovery of titanaugite while having no evident impact on ilmenite flotation. Subsequent bench-scale flotation tests further confirm a remarkable improvement in separation efficiency upon the introduction of AP. Contact angle and adsorption tests reveal a stronger affinity of AP towards the titanaugite surface in comparison to ilmenite. Zeta potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses exhibit favorable adsorption characteristics of AP on titanaugite, resulting from a synergy of electrostatic attraction and chemical interaction. In contrast, electrostatic repulsion hinders any significant interaction between AP and the ilmenite surface. These findings highlight the potential of AP as a highly efficient depressant for ilmenite flotation, paving the way for reduced reliance on sulfuric acid in the industry.
Key words: ilmenite; titanaugite; selective flotation; weakly acidic condition; depressant