Selective flocculation of fines
(Langmuir Center f or Colloids and Interfaces, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA)
Abstract: A number of factors that affect selective flocculation of fines have been identified and the effect of some of parameters on process behavior has been explained with the help of a few case studies. Experiments with francolite montmorillonite and francolite palygorskite mixtures indicated that francolite recovery depends on pH and the type of dispersant. The results showed that removal of multivalent ionic species on clay mineral surfaces seems to enhance flocculation, and separation efficiency increases as Ca2+ ions are removed from the surface. When chalcopyrite and quartz are present together, it is however necessary to clean the flocs obtained to remove entrapped quartz.
Key words: flocculation； clay minerals； phosphate minerals； dispersant