Physico-Chemical Modeling of Flotation Systems

Abstract

The methodology of physical-chemical modeling of flotation systems is considered and effectiveness of its application for fundamental investigations in flotation is shown. Using iron sulphides as the example, reliable information has been received on the surface state of iron sulphides, optimal conditions for their activation with copper salts and deactivation with cyanide and sulphide ions, the composition of sorption layer on the mineral surface forming during its interaction with xanthate or dixanthogen, the influence of collector forms sorption on the iron sulphides notability and on the optimal conditions of these minerals flotation.

From a single position the determined physico-chemical models in the form of quantitative equations have been derived for the optimal conditions of flotation and depression of iron sulphides under changing pH value and of the sodium sulphide, cyanide or lime addition. The equations derived were proven in the laboratory and industrial scale and can be used in automatic control systems at the plants as well as for improvement of technological processes of selective flotation of iron sulphides containing ores or coals.

Keywords:

• Flotation
• iron sulphides
• reagents action
• physico-chemical models
• automatic control systems