Selective flotation separation of andalusite and quartz and its mechanism

The separation of andalusite and quartz was investigated in the sodium oleate flotation system, and its mechanism was studied by solution chemical calculation, zeta-potential tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS). The flotation tests results show that FeCl3·6H2O has a strong activation effect on andalusite and quartz and citric acid has a strong inhibitory effect on activated quartz, thus increasing the floatability difference between quartz and andalusite when the pulp pH is approximately 8. The FTIR, Zeta potential, and XPS analyses combined with the chemical calculation of flotation reagent solutions demonstrate that Fe forms hydroxide precipitates on the surface of andalusite and quartz and that oleate anions and metal ions adsorb onto the surface of the minerals. The elements Al and Fe can be chemically reacted. The anions in citric acid have different degrees of dissolution of Fe on the andalusite and quartz surfaces, thereby selectively eliminating the activation of the elemental Fe on andalusite and quartz and increasing the floatability of andalusite, leading to a better separation effect between andalusite and quartz.