Flotation of molybdenite fines as hydrophobic agglomerates

The flotation of molybdenite fines as hydrophobic agglomerates has been studied through micro-flotation and microscopy observations in this work. The hydrophobic agglomeration was achieved with a strong mechanical conditioning and a small amount of kerosene addition. The experimental results showed that floc-flotation is much more effective than conventional flotation for the beneficiation of molybdenite fines. At the same flotation time, floc-flotation reached the flotability of 90%, while conventional flotation only did 35%. The most important parameters in the floc-flotation were mechanical conditioning strength and kerosene addition. A good floc-flotation could be achieved by applying a high-speed stirring for a short time. The kerosene enhancement of the floc-flotation closely correlated with droplet size of kerosene emulsion. The smaller were the droplets, the better the floc-flotation was.

It is shown that the flotation rate of molybdenite fines was significantly improved because of the formation of hydrophobic agglomerates. In the case of floc-flotation with the stirring speed of 1000 rev/min in the hydrophobic agglomeration, the flotability reached the maximum value (93%) around 1.5 min., while for conventional flotation that was about 30% at the same flotation time.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Floc-flotation of molybdenite fines.
► Hydrophobic agglomerates of molybdenite.
► Effect of mechanical conditioning on the floc-flotation.
► Effect of kerosene emulsion on the floc-flotation.