Electrochemical aspects in the flotation of leadzinc sulfides in Brazilian silicate ore – use of Na2S as modulator.

Sodium sulfide plays a multifunctional role in sulfide minerals flotation. The restorative action of minerals surface is its main function. As pH regulator, it reacts on surface and provides the conditions for interactions between minerals-collectors. However, changes in pulp composition can affect...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: São José, Fábio de, Rodrigues, Otávia Martins Silva, Pereira, Carlos Alberto
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UFOP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.ufop.br:123456789/12266
Acceso en línea:http://www.repositorio.ufop.br/handle/123456789/12266
http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/2176-1523.20191551
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Electrochemical potential
Sodium sulfide
Sulfide minerals
Potencial eletroquímico
Sulfeto de sódio
Descripción
Sumario:Sodium sulfide plays a multifunctional role in sulfide minerals flotation. The restorative action of minerals surface is its main function. As pH regulator, it reacts on surface and provides the conditions for interactions between minerals-collectors. However, changes in pulp composition can affect the electrochemical conditions desirable for flotation. Thus, the purpose this study was the evaluation of electrochemical state established in flotation, involving a willemite ore bearing zinc and lead sulfide minerals, when Na2 S was used as pH regulator. So, the electrochemical potential established in the pulp, the recoveries and contents of Zn, Pb, and Ag were considered as criteria for assessing the process. The pH equal to 9 yielded the best results for recovery (95.33% Zn; 61.24% Pb; 79.01% Ag) and content (12.96% Zn; 1.54% Pb; 307.33 ppm Ag), due to the smaller interference that occurred in the electrochemical conditions of systems when compared to pH 11, also included in the evaluations. However, larger dosages of Na2 S were counterproductive due to depressant action. Decrease in the potential can be related to the excessive amount of HS- , impairing the sulfides flotation.