Effect of collector, pH and ionic strength on the cationic flotation of kaolinite

Role of Water Structure-Making/Breaking Ions in the Cationic Flotation of Kaolinite: Implications for Iron Ore Processing

“…The high Al content in iron ore results in a highly viscous slag and high coke rate and thus is detrimental to blast furnace and sinter plant operations. Of the Al containing minerals in iron ore, kaolinite is a common gangue mineral frequently found in iron ore deposits [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…Structure-breaking ions are also referred to as chaotropes whereas structure makers are known as kosmotropes [11]. In the author's previous work [7], the flotation mechanism of kaolinite was found to be related to its unique face-edge structure. The presence of Na + in the flotation pulp drastically interferes with the cationic flotation of kaolinite.…”

Flotation of kaolinite from tailings of kaolin-washing plants by cationic collectors

“…As a results, collectors of the plane (001) were accumulated and formed structures which the outer surface was hydrophilic (Fig. 5) [9]. Therefore, as indicated in Fig.…”

“…The surface charge at high ionic strength also weakens self-aggregation between the negatively charged (001 ത ) planes and positively charged edge planes in the acidic pulp. Thus, the pH dependence of kaolinite flotation becomes less pronounced [9]. …”

“…The results of these studies showed that kaolinite flotation by cationic collectors was better under acidic conditions than in alkaline media [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Yuehua et al (2004) tried to increase kaolinite recovery in alkaline medium by using a macromolecule as a flocculant.…”