Floc flotation of jamesonite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate

ZHANG Ting(张婷), QIN Wen-qing(覃文庆)

(School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract:The hydrophobic flocculation of jamesonite fines in aqueous suspensions induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate was investigated using laser particle size analysis, microscope analysis, electrophoretic light scattering and infrared spectroscopy. single minerals of 4.607 μm for the 50% volumetric diameters were researched by varying several parameters, including pH, ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate concentration, stirring strength and kerosene addition. It is found that the maximal floatability of jamesonite fines is induced by ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate at pH 6, and the floc flotation increases with increasing ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate concentration despite a simultaneous increase in the negative ζ potential of jamesonite, meaning that hydrophobic interaction between the particles increases much more strongly than electric double layer repulsion from the adsorption of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate. It is also found that the floc flotation is closely correlated with the size of flocs, which is strongly influenced by the stirring strength and enhanced by the addition of a small amount of kerosene. The results of FTIR spectra indicate that adsorption of ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate onto jamesonite is chemical adsorption and the adsorption product is lead dibutyl dithiophosphate.

Key words:hydrophobic flocculation; jamesonite fines; zeta potential; ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate; kerosene