Controlled Adsorption of Surfactant and Polymer-Surfactant Mixtures for Enhanced Separation/Beneficiation of Minerals

Abstract

Surface characteristics of solids are often complex due to changes during particle preparation as well as interactions with the surrounding environment. The key to their separation and beneficiation lies in manipulation of the surface characteristics by treatment with selected reagents. Controlled adsorption of surfactants, polymers or a combination of both can modify the surface of the mineral to achieve the desired results. Alteration of surface properties of phosphate ores and metal oxides using such methods as adsorption and dissolution is discussed in this paper. Responses to these treatments are examined using flotation, dissolution and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques.