Enhanced flotation separation pyrrhotite from serpentine by fluid force field

The strengthening effect of fluid force field on the flotation of pyrrhotite from serpentine was revealed through XPS measurements, ICP measurements, zeta potential measurements, turbidity analyses, microscope observation, adsorption capacity measurements and flotation kinetics methods. The results showed that fluid force field can promote the shedding of pyrrhotite surface material(Fe2O3, SO42-, Fe(2+)and Fe3+), expose more S0 and form fresh pyrrhotite surface; fluid force field can cause Zeta potential and point of zero charge(PZC) negatively shift on pyrrhotite/serpentine and reduce the value of mutual attraction energy between them, then weaken the hetero-aggregation between serpentine and pyrrhotite; fluid force field can promote the adsorption of butyl xanthate (BX) on pyrrhotite surface, then improve the recovery rate of pyrrhotite from serpentine. By the reaction of fluid force field, the turbidity of artificial mixed minerals slurry increased from 154NTU to 168NTU, the adsorption capacity of BX on pyrrhotite surfaces increased from 0.78 mg/g to 1.08 mg/g, the recovery of pyrrhotite increased from 79.14 % to 82.67 %, and the recovery of serpentine decreased from 23.74 % to 19.43 %. The results of flotation kinetics showed that kinetic model 2 can well reflect the flotation kinetics of pyrrhotite without pre-stirring, while model 1 can well reflect the flotation kinetics of pyrrhotite after pre-stirring by stirring tank.