Effect of pulp temperature on separation of magnesite from dolomite in sodium oleate flotation system

The influence of pulp temperature on the floatability of magnesite and dolomite were studied by flotation test. Inductive Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer (ICP) was used to measure the dissolved metal ion content in the pulp by minerals in solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to measure the presence and relative content of metal ions on mineral surfaces and the amount of sodium oleate adsorbed on mineral surfaces was measured by UV-Visible Spectrophotometer (UV-Vis). The results show that magnesite and dolomite have a great difference in flotation performance when the pulp temperature is 15 degrees C and the effective separation of magnesite from dolomite can be achieved. The main reason is that after the pulp is stirred at a pulp temperature of 15 degrees C and the pH of the pulp is adjusted with HCl and NaOH, the amount of metal ions remaining on the surface of the magnesite is much larger than that on the surface of the dolomite. Therefore, the active targets (metal ion) adsorbing oleate ions on the surface of the magnesite are more than that on the dolomite. When magnesite and dolomite coexist, oleic acid ion mainly acts on the surface of magnesite at the optimum temperature, which makes magnesite float up and the separation of magnesite from dolomite could be achieved.