Flotation Separation Method of Copper Oxide Ore

01Direct flotation method for copper oxide ore

The direct flotation method is the earliest flotation method applied to oxidized copper ore. It can be used to treat copper oxide ore with high grade, mainly malachite, simple mineral composition and uncomplicated properties. The direct flotation method can improve the recovery rate of oxidized copper ore, but its selectivity is poor. The direct flotation method of copper oxide ore can be divided into: fatty acid flotation method, amine flotation method, chelating agent flotation method, chelating agent-neutral oil flotation method and other direct flotation methods.

1. Fatty acid flotation method: The processed copper oxide ores are mainly malachite and azurite, with simple ore structure and high grade. The fatty acid flotation method has strong capture ability, but poor selectivity. In addition, the fatty acid flotation method is easily affected by temperature, because fatty acids have a high freezing point, especially higher fatty acids, which are difficult to disperse and dissolve in the slurry. The fatty acids used are generally mixed, and a single type of pure fatty acid is rarely used.

2. Amine flotation method: Also called cationic collector flotation method, amine collectors are effective collectors for copper oxide ores with strong capture ability. When processing copper oxide ores such as malachite and azurite, amine flotation has a fast speed and high recovery rate. Amine reagents also have a capture effect on gangue minerals. When processing copper oxide ore, quartz has the same flotation behavior as malachite.

3. Chelating agent flotation method and chelating agent-neutral oil flotation method: a method of flotating copper oxide using chelating agent or chelating agent-neutral oil as a collector. Chelating agent can be used as a collector and activator during the flotation process. Since chelating agent has the advantages of good selectivity, strong stability, high sorting index and low consumption, it can be used to treat difficult-to-select oxidized copper ore.

4. Other direct flotation methods: In addition to the flotation methods mentioned above, there are also xanthate flotation method, mercaptan and polysulfide flotation method, sodium alkyl sulfate flotation method, etc.

02Sulfidation flotation of copper oxide ore

Sulfidation flotation can be used to treat copper oxide ores and mixed copper ores, and is mainly divided into direct sulfidation flotation and hydrothermal sulfidation flotation.

1. Direct sulfidation flotation: The finely ground copper oxide ore pulp is first sulfided and then a xanthate collector is added for collection. Commonly used sulfiding agents include sodium sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, calcium sulfide, etc., among which sodium sulfide is a commonly used sulfiding agent. The collectors used in this flotation method include ethyl xanthate, black medicine, fatty acids, etc., among which xanthate is more commonly used.

2. Hydrothermal sulfidation flotation: It strengthens the pre-sulfidation process of the ore on the basis of direct flotation, and flots in warm water. This process has the advantages of simple process and high recovery rate, and can also effectively overcome the influence of fine mud on the flotation process.

Compared with the direct flotation method, the sulfide flotation method is widely used. Its main advantages are:

1. It is not limited by the properties of gangue minerals. Both siliceous and calcium-magnesium gangue minerals can be used.

2. The sulfiding agent and xanthate used are widely available and low in cost.

In summary, the direct flotation method and sulfide flotation method of copper oxide ore each have their own unique advantages. The former is suitable for oxidized copper ores with simple structure and high grade, while the latter shows stronger adaptability when processing complex ores and mixed copper ores. Sulfide flotation method has become a more mature technical means in copper oxide ore beneficiation due to its wide applicability and high recovery rate. By rationally selecting the flotation process and optimizing it in combination with the characteristics of the ore, the utilization rate of oxidized copper resources can be effectively improved to further meet market demand. For mineral processing enterprises, continuously improving the flotation process with the help of modern technology is still a key way to improve mineral processing efficiency and economic benefits.