Particulate Science and Technology, Vol.35, No.1, 38-44, 2017
A study on the modified flotation parameters and selectivity index in copper flotation
Selectivity index (SI) and modified flotation rate constants of copper and iron were evaluated to rougher flotation circuit of the Sarcheshmeh copper ore by a series of batch flotation tests. Kinetics model of Agar was fitted to experimental data. The results indicated that first-order kinetics model of Agar presented the time-cumulative recovery curves of flotation tests quite well for Cu and Fe. Also, the results showed that the selectivity between Cu and Fe enhanced with increasing the pH, solid content, and dosage collector. In addition, performance of collectors showed that the best selectivity between Cu and Fe was in the order of combination of Z11 and MBTs>flomin C4132>combination of MBTs and flomin C4132>combination of Z11, MBTs, and flomin C4132 in flotation of copper. It was also found that better results for flotation kinetics were obtained at pH 11.5, solid percentage 28, and dosage collector 40g/t (15g/t sodium isopropyl xanthate and 25g/t mercaptobenzothiazole [MBT]). SI value was determined as 5.12 in optimum condition.