A novel collector for high-sulfur bauxite flotation desulfurization

ABSTRACT

Effective desulfurization of high-sulfur bauxite is one of the major problems in the alumina production industry. To overcome this, a novel nanoparticle collector (NC) to improve the desulfurization performance during flotation process was synthesized via emulsion polymerization method, whereby lignin (natural polymer) was used as the host monomer. The NC’s syntheses, desulfurization performance, characterization tests, and adsorption on pyrite were studied. Results showed that the optimum conditions for the syntheses of NC (average particle size of 252.5 nm) were at mass ratio of lignin (host monomer), potassium butyl xanthate (functional group) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (emulsifier) of 1:20:2, and reaction temperature of 70°C. NC showed better flotation performance (maximum desulfurization), and shorter flowsheet, compared to common collectors. On a different note, tests suggested that NCs were uniformly adsorbed on the surface of pyrite via physico-chemical way.

KEYWORDS:

• Bauxite
• flotation desulfurization
• collector
• pyrite

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the following: “Indigenous Programs of Zhengzhou Non-ferrous Metals Research Institute Co. Ltd of CHALCO” (Grant No. ZYY-2020-KJ-15); “Foundation for University Key Teacher by Henan Province” (Grant No. 2020GGJS051); “Henan Polytechnic University Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars” (Grant No. J2021-1); and “Foundation for University Key Teacher by Henan Polytechnic University” (Grant No. 2017XQG-12).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Henan Polytechnic University Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars [J2021-1]; Foundation for University Key Teacher by Henan Province [2020GGJS051]; Indigenous Programs of Zhengzhou Non-ferrous Metals Research Institute Co. Ltd of CHALCO [ZYY-2020-KJ-15]; Foundation for University Key Teacher by Henan Polytechnic University [2017XQG-12].