ISSN (print) 1995-2732
ISSN (online) 2412-9003

 

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Abstract

Problem Statement (Relevance): Selectivity of reagents used in sulphide mineral flotation can be increased through the use of organic compounds with complex molecular structures or combinations of collecting reagents. It is an important task to look at the surface activity and flotation properties of composite aerofloat taking into account the kinetics of the reagent adsorption at the liquid-gas interface and to compare aerofloat with basic reagents. Objectives: To develop a method for ob-taining effective composite aerofloats from waste alcohol and to determine their physico-chemical and flotation properties. Methods Applied: A pilot plant for synthesizing reagents (R-620 Selecta, Spain), surface tension measurements - Wilhelmy plate method, flotation. Originality: The originality of this research lies in the fact that, unlike basic collectors which contain normal hydrocarbon radicals (normal butyl xanthates and aerofloats), composite collectors are more surface-active due to the hydrophobic interaction of hydrocarbon radicals with normal and iso-structures. Findings: The material for the production of composite aerofloats includes a mixture of C3H7-C6H13-OH alcohols isolated from a dry alcohol fraction (a mixture of fusel oils from Talgar and Aydabulsky distilleries). It is shown that the aerofloats can be arranged in the following order in terms of the biggest drop in the surface tension over equal periods of time: composite aerofloat > a mixture of butyl and isoamyl aerofloat > isoamyl aerofloat > butyl aerofloat. It means that composite aerofloats have the highest dynamic value of surface activity. The interaction of composite aerofloats with sulphide minerals takes place when the surface hydrophobization of the minerals becomes stronger as a result of overlapping of hydrocarbon radicals with normal and iso-structures. At the same time, its flotation activity im-proves due to the exposure of their polar groups. Tests have been carried out on the flotation of gold-bearing ore from the Bestobe deposit using composite aerofloat. When the new composite aerofloat was applied on the Shakhta Novaya ore of the Bestobe deposit, the concen-tration of gold in the concentrate increased by 15.07%. The recovery of gold into the concentrate increased by 18.74% when the basic reagents – i.e. potassium butyl xanthate and T-92 foaming agent – were completely excluded from the flotation process. Application of the new composite aerofloat at the Karabulak gold deposit saved the need for using potassium butyl xanthate and T-92 foaming agent in the flotation process. At the same time the gold recovery rose by 8.5% and the concentration of gold in the concentrate increased by 2.3 g/t. The test results indicate that composite aerofloats used instead of the basic reagents significantly intensify the flotation of noble metal ores. Practical Relevance: The results of this research can be used to intensify the flotation of refractory ores.

Keywords

Composite flotation reagents, minerals, surface tension, wetting, adsorption, flotation.

Bagdaulet K. Kenzhaliev – Dr.Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Vice Rector at Satbayev University, General Director

Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Nesipbay K. Tusupbaev - Dr.Sci. (Eng.), Head of Flotation Reagents and Beneficiation Laboratory

Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nadezhda L. Medyanik - Dr.Sci. (Eng.), Professor, Head of the Department of Chemistry

Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia. Е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Larisa V. Semushkina – Cand.Sci. (Eng.), Lead Researcher at the Flotation Reagents and Beneficiation Laboratory

Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation JSC, Satbayev University, Almaty, Kazakhstan. Е-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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